Lutheran Church of Mahomet, The Invitation 2018 Easter Invitation | Page 9

During this holy season I find my thoughts turning to God as I
marvel and rejoice at the gift of grace bestowed on us. Often it
seems that my prayers are in response to the latest tragedy in
the news. I struggle to make sense of the acts of violence, prej-
udice, hate, and indifference that humanity inflicts upon itself.
Yet even with all the strife and suffering, there is beauty, love,
laughter, and caring in the world. There is still hope and
yearning for a better place.
People are varied. We find ourselves closest to God at different
times and in so many different ways. We feel God’s love in the
laughter of our children playing, in the warmth of a smile, in
the gentle breeze blowing thru the autumn leaves.
I was fortunate to grow up in a loving, supportive family with a
strong belief in God. My family would spend our summer vaca-
tion together, most often while camping at one park or anoth-
er. I grew to love the outdoors, enjoying hiking, swimming, and
fishing . Time spent without the distractions of television and
long before the pervasive digital gadgets of today’s world. The
beauty of God’s creation was a powerful part of my youth and
gave me such a strong feeling of peace and belonging. I still
have a deep appreciation and love for God’s creation and find
myself feeling closer to Him in my appreciation for nature.
Many people find music brings them closer to God. Whether
playing, singing, or listening all types of music can lift our spir-
its. I get a surprising amount of enjoyment from (poorly) sing-
ing hymns at church, but also enjoy listening to others who
have a gift for melody. A product of the sixties, I grew up lis-
tening to rock and roll music but I enjoy most types of music.
Some music is clearly inspired and infused with the Holy Spirit
(Ode to Joy comes to mind among so many others).
One of the things that I feel brings me closer to God is helping
others. Help can come in many forms, most of which just re-