“Diakonia” is the Greek word for service. We are to share God’s grace in deeds of love and service to others. We extend hope and grace through healing hands that change lives forevermore. While we may have seemed to hit the pause button on congregating as a church, the service to others continues.

Upon entering Wesley Hall your eyes are drawn to the beautiful mosaic of stained-glass windows illuminating the sanctuary with a kaleidoscope of color. I am told if you kneel in certain spots at the altar to pray you can feel the warmth of the light magnified from the glass panels as if the hand of God were resting on your shoulder. I also remember fondly the place where Wesley Hall currently stands. It was a tree-filled space where many youth activities were enjoyed back in the day. Lots of small group discussion shared and prayers lifted in that space as the branches filtered the sunlight and provided a cool shade.

Just knowing someone is looking out for you gives you a sense of confidence and assurance. Earlier this year as I accepted the privilege of being lay leader, I asked a few special AUMCers to be my mentors by providing me with “spiritual presence.” I know that their faith walk with Christ is first and foremost because of what He has done in their lives. I knew it would be a difficult year and that I would need the presence of special people to keep me grounded and focused. Remember the saying “WWJD” - What Would Jesus Do? Just four months into this new year we are already afflicted with uncertainty like we have never seen before. Many times I have asked myself, “What would my spiritual mentor do?”

I have heard it asked, “what use is prayer?” God already knows the outcome of everything since he is transcendent and omnipotent. Not true. God wants to listen to us pray. He wants to hear us speak and talk with Him.

Years ago, American Express used the tagline “Membership Has Its Privileges.” Depending on your age, you might also remember their slogan “Don’t Leave Home Without It” that was like a reminder not to forget an umbrella on a rainy day. By joining and continuing to use your American Express card you got an array of services and a wealth of resources that were not available to everyone else. However, if you did not pay your bills your privileges vanished immediately.

Can you believe that bread machines were one of the top selling kitchen appliances on Amazon this past month? One of the items my company manufactures is yeast. All of our indicators in recent years showed that bread baking was a lost art.

While our church is vacant, and the doors are locked, the church is not closed. One of our staff members recently circulated an article titled “Essential Services.” The article was about how churches are excluded from that which is considered essential, yet churches are even more essential during these challenging times. The stay-home restriction is creating a challenge for us to meet the needs of our church and our neighbors.

In one of my readings this week I came across a term - “fallow the ground.” This is an agricultural or gardening term which means to leave the ground or soil unplanted for a period of time. The land is left to rest and regenerate to become more fruitful, thus allowing the soil to have a specific rest period to replenish nutrients vital to ongoing and future growth.

Disquieting times. What else can one say about today? Great uncertainty exists for all of us. Fear is difficult to keep at bay. For some, the storms may only feel like they are lapping at their knees, but for others, undoubtedly, it must feel like the waters are already up to their chins. Where is the Good News in times like today? Is there Good News in times like these? Yes! Yes!

Every time I have to go down Atascocita Road, I make the mistake of going down West Lake Houston Parkway. I have to correct myself and get back to the right street. The last time I did that, it made me think… If I didn’t correct myself, then I would never get to my destination. It also made me think about how small changes can make a bigger impact down the road.