“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” ~ Psalm 122:1
Dear People of St. David’s,
I pray that you and yours are well and that you’re beginning to find a new pace of life for these summer months. School is over or almost is. Work takes on a slightly different pace as we take more time off. The weather is fine, and the longer days seem to stretch time in a gentle way. Our Sunday worship continues on a slightly reduced schedule and many of the activities take a Sabbath rest so we can rejuvenate and plan for the new program year.
We are all given a gift of more personal time during the summer, and I have a life-giving suggestion: Spend more time with God each day.
One of the greatest gifts of the Christian life is the promise that God will come into our lives and make God’s presence known to us, and not merely as a nice idea. The Hebrew scriptures are filled with stories of God conversing with individuals. The Psalms and the Book of Proverbs persistently remind us of the goodness of God and the joy that can be ours when we look to God and listen for God’s voice. Jesus is constantly inviting us to seek and welcome God into our lives and promises that God will come. Saint Paul is so connected to God and God’s goodness that he can rejoice and be content in plenty and in want.
That’s the kind of life I desire. What about you?
During these summer months, where we are traveling or stay-cationing or living our regular lives, I want to encourage all of us to spend a little more time with God. Oh, do come to church on Sundays, but also take some quiet time to sit in the presence of God. Find a quiet place and ask God to come. Be patient with yourself as your mind wanders and thinks about all the things of your life, but also be persistent. Wait on God and you will find that God will come. God will come in any number of ways, and you will be touched by a grace and a presence and a love that will refresh you like no vacation can. It is God’s pleasure and desire to make God’s presence known to you and to let you know just how loved you are.
The house of the Lord is not only in business on Sundays, but it’s also open to you and me every day if we will go there in our hearts. I’m ready.
Grace and Peace,
The Rev. W. Frank Allen
Rector