Thomas Daniel writes about this uncertain time we are in … and how he’s been grieving the things we have lost while still discovering new evidence of God’s grace. Read it below.
Dear Covenant Family,
We are in a time of grieving and discovering.
I find myself regularly doing both as I move throughout my day.
Grieving at what is lost and may not be recovered. Grieving for the spiraling statistics of illness and death. Grieving for unmade memories such as senior proms and graduations. Grieving for lost jobs and financial stress. Grieving for vacation plans that have been thrown into turmoil. Grieving that our Belize Mission Trip was canceled. Grieving with grandparents who can’t be with grandchildren. Grieving at not being able to see friends on Covenant’s patio between worship services. Grieving the loss of being able to plan. Grieving at how much in our world has become “unknown.”
But I am also discovering new things.
Discovering that coffee with a friend over Zoom can be pretty special. Discovering that I am checking in with friends and family more than at any point in recent memory. Discovering the beauty of waking up a little later and starting my day in prayer. Discovering that my teenagers still want to play board games and laugh. Discovering that God keeps showing up in the most unexpected ways. Discovering that I can be grateful in the midst of my grief.
May we all continue to grieve what has been lost as well as discover new evidence of God’s redemption and grace. And may we do them both in community with one another.
In Christ,
Thomas
“For the mountains may depart
and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,
says the Lord, who has compassion on you” (Isaiah 54:10).
