Prayer Request*
*Request will be sent to the Prayer Chain
LET'S PRAY
by Victoria Flood
Come Worship With Us
Trinity Lutheran Church
Lately, I've been hearing a lot of people say things like, "September, already?!" or "Where did the summer go?" or "My, this year is going by so fast!" Comments like these are often followed by a disappointment or a regret of some sort...a desire to have done something, or visited some place, or had some sort of experience that hasn't happened yet.
Disappointments and regrets come in small, medium, large, and even extra-large sizes! Related to summer, perhaps we didn’t read the books we thought we would, or visit the beach or state parks as often as we wanted, or get together with the friends we don’t see that often, or take advantage of a new opportunity we though we might.
When reflecting on disappointments or regrets in our daily lives, do we ever think about our faith life or our church life? As the summer comes to an end, I realize I thought I was going to have more time to read the Bible (but, somehow, I didn’t); I thought I was going to enjoy more Saturday evening worship services (but, somehow, I didn’t); and I thought I was going to volunteer more within the community of Des Plaines (but, somehow, I didn’t).
In general, it is often not helpful to dwell on disappointments or regrets. After all, we cannot change the past, even though there are times we all wish we could. When disappointments or regrets lead to depression or inaction, they can seem pretty negative. Perhaps a disappointment or a regret can be something positive, however, if it motivates us to pursue opportunities that we have not yet tried.
I am not proud of all these things I thought I was going to do this summer, but didn’t. Thankfully, through the grace of God, comes the message, “It’s not too late!”. Also, thankfully, through Trinity Lutheran Church, there are activities I can connect with to pursue some of those things I thought I was going to do. For example, there are Bible studies in the mid-week or on Sunday morning, there continue to be Saturday evening worship services, and there are opportunities such as the PADS homeless shelter and the Five Loaves and Two Fishes community lunch with which to volunteer. And… new ideas for worship, for study, or for volunteering are always welcome and encouraged!
So…as the summer comes to an end, if you have disappointments or regrets, remember, “It’s not too late!”.
A prayer focus for this month:
God of never-ending grace, help us transform our disappointments and regrets into new actions in our daily lives, including our faith and church lives.
Listen…God is Calling…
