Creatures of Habit

I have this weird habit of watching shows, series, and movies that I like over and over again. To be perfectly honest, I have watched all six seasons and 3 movie spin-offs of Downton Abbey at least eight or nine times (maybe more). I'm totally serious. I have seen every Harry Potter movie at least 15 times and I could not even begin to calculate how many times I have seen the movie Steel Magnolias! It's strange because I am not really a creature of habit (well, not all the time) but there is something incredibly comforting about watching these shows and movies over and over again! Even though I probably annoy people when I say the character's lines before they speak them (yes, I am one of those people!).

I suppose most of us find some comfort in routines and familiar happenings and events. Maybe you are like me in that we have a morning routine that we follow almost every day and when we get thrown off from that routine we struggle both emotionally and physically. Not to get too personal but when I travel and my morning routine is thrown off I inevitably need to take more fiber (sorry if that is TMI!). I don't sleep as well when I am away from home, and right now I am having trouble being productive because I don't have an office (because of the construction in the Education Building) so I am working wherever I can, out of my computer bag! So, I guess it is understandable that when we find ourselves trying something new, by choice or necessity, we feel a little discombobulated (this is really a word - I looked it up!). 

However, when we embrace a change of routine or a new adventure we are also blessed in ways we could have never imagined. I remember moving here and being appointed to this church. It was a definite change in our daily routines and even the way we live (island life is quite different). And, I could have never imagined how blessed we would be or the incredible people and opportunities to grow that God would put in our lives. As I look back at the new and exciting ways we have all embraced new ways of doing ministry together and the wonderful new members God has brought our church family, I am grateful for the discomfort of change and new routines. 

Sometimes growth can be uncomfortable. When I was a child, I remember having some terrible pains in my legs and my mother called them "growing pains." And as an adult, we often experience emotional discomfort or growing pains when we stretch ourselves to grow in Christ - yet that growth is always transformational and beautiful!

So, as we change and grow in this next season ahead, I anticipate we will feel some discomfort occasionally. I hope you will hang in there, try new things, take some deep breaths, pray and let yourself grow in ways you never thought possible. And by the way - I just started watching a new series called The Last Ship (Ok, it's from 2014 - but it's new to me!) And I haven't been tempted to rewatch Downton Abbey for quite some time!

4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. (Ezekiel 37:4-5)

Grace and Peace

-Pastor Madeline