God, the Alpha and Omega

Being called, being a small part of the whole body of Christ, being a holy temple of God, all invite us to faithfulness, persistence, trust, joy, peace-oh, and hard work. We cannot do all this alone. From time to time, we can call on family or friends, or on professionals to accompany or help us, but they are not always available, willing or competent.

God, on the other hand, is always close by, weeping with us, holding us up, taking most of the load for us, cheering us on, comforting us and celebrating us. From pre-conception until post-funeral and beyond, God is “God with us,” our rock, our refuge, our strength.

God loves to hear praise and thanksgiving from us, but that does not mean God rejects our whining and complaining, our requests and our demands. In a real and healthy relationship there is lots of give and take, lots of respect and acceptance. All God’s prophets tell it like it is. We are welcome to do that, too. And then get to the praise and thanksgiving.

Loving and enduring God, thank you for creating, redeeming and sustaining us through all of our days and beyond. Amen. — SB