Blessings in Our Midst
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. -1 Peter 3:8
This morning I went to Sam’s Club when it opened. I stood outside looking at about 150+ other people and started to turn around and head back to my car. But then I stopped, and I thought to myself, “you’re already here, just go in.” So, in I went expecting the worst and on a mission for eggs. What I found was probably more surprising than anything (and I don’t mean the TP or the eggs.) There seemed to be genuine care and concern for one another, and people went about their business of getting what they came for.
I always wonder why it takes crisis to so often bring out the best in people. I’m sure there is some psychological reason behind it, but really shouldn’t we always be on the lookout for the least of us, the vulnerable and the sick. Right now, it seems the best way to do this is to stay home, to check in on each other, and to offer love and grace. It is amazing how much life can change in a week’s time, I can’t even remember the things that I was concerned about or worried about last week. They have been replaced with concern for the ways we can care for one another in the weeks to come. I like the verse above from Peter, he speaks to all of us with instruction on how to treat one another and reminds us in the following verses that we should not repay evil with evil but with blessing. We should remember that while even in suffering as Christ did on the cross, we live in hope through the promise of the resurrection.
So this week, let’s look for the blessings that are surely lurking in the midst of what is evil. Let’s be gentle to one another and to yourself. Know that your pastors and church staff are praying for you. If you find yourself in need of prayer or conversation or anything else, reach out to us, to a friend, to a neighbor. Let’s remember in this time to love one another, be compassionate and humble.
-Pastor Carrie
First Thoughts at First 
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