Linda Taylor – Sound District
“I’ve made your name known to them and will continue to make it known so that your love for me will be in them, and I myself will be in them.” (John 17:26 CEB)
Frank appeared at my church office door, unexpected, with a look of suspicion. It was my first day in the office as the newly appointed pastor. “Got a minute?” Frank asked as he was already moving to sit in the chair opposite my desk. We exchanged the usual niceties of those meeting for the first time.
Then Frank said, “I am here to psych you out.”
“You’re here to what?”
“You know, figure out what makes you tick. I’m good at figuring out what makes people tick.”
“Oh, okay.”
Fast forward 12 months…Frank appears at my church office door. “I’ve listened to you preach, pray and seen how you care about us. I think I know what makes you tick. You love no matter what.”
Frank and I had many conversations during my 14 years as his pastor. Some were difficult, sometimes we didn’t agree, but always we loved, and we embraced the love of Jesus Christ we saw in one another.
Prayer:
Dear Gracious and Loving God, we pray for your church around the world this day. Especially in these moments we pray for The United Methodist Church and the Commission on The Way Forward. In the midst of all that life brings, we know you are with us leading us from fear to hope. Fill us to overflowing with your love, your grace, your peace, so that, through your Spirit we may be one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.