Letters While Separated- Weekly Compilation
Enjoy these words of encouragement from two of our church family members. These Letters While Separated remind us of the love we have for each other through Christ.
Dear Church Family,
This time of separation is difficult and lonely. We just finished Easter, which is one of my favorite seasons. Easter is a time that is supposed to be filled with hope and reflection of the past with anticipation of what is to come. While this Easter was different, it gave me time to reflect.
There is a lot to look forward to when this is all over, but I don’t want to lose sight on what we have learned from this. We have learned a lot. I don’t want to go back to my old habits when this is over. My husband and I are now finally using that kayak we just “had to have” a year ago but never found time to use. We now enjoy going fishing. I not only now know my neighbors well but we are all baking for each other. We go for walks around the neighborhood together in the evenings. I’m constantly playing praise music in my house. My dog is getting some much-deserved attention. I don’t want to lose any of that when life eventually “returns to normal”. I’m somewhat enjoying our new normal.
A friend of mine mentioned the other day that there are things we have learned to appreciate from this. We now can spend quality time with our kids and have a new appreciation for their teachers. We have an overflowing gratitude for our healthcare workers and are now publicly covering them in prayer. We have a newfound respect for delivery drivers and grocery store clerks. I for one will never again take for granted the embrace of a friend or the greeting of a friendly face at church. I miss worshiping with my church family. I also think it’s safe to say we will never again take for granted running to the store and being able to grab Lysol or toilet paper.
It’s easy to complain about the missed concerts, graduations, or sporting events that have been canceled. It’s easy to dwell in what were missing-trust me I find myself doing it often. I’m hoping my heart continues to move toward a season of gratitude during this time. I do mourn for the lost time with friends/family and the lost experiences, but I am thankful for this reminder to slow down. Work is no longer our driving force-for those of you who are like me and spent too much time at the office. God sure fixed that! We now have time to marvel at his creation as we always should.
I am reminded of 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Until we are together again, prayers for health and happiness,
Dallas Schmidt
My Dear Mars Hill Family,
I have attempted to write this an embarrassing amount of times. I have so many things that I want to say, but no words it seems. It’s hard to express how I am feeling at this time (even harder given that I have not had a single conversation in six-ish weeks that didn’t pertain to our situation).
To say that our present situation has gotten easier with every week would be a foolish thing to say. Every week as we gather digitally on Sundays, it is a sobering reminder of what life was a matter of a few weeks ago and I remember the countless amount of times that I took our gatherings for granted. I have realized that there has never been and never will be a situation where I should say, “Oh man, I wish I would have missed church service today.” If I ever say that, I request that somebody come and slap me so I can come back to my senses.
Here’s a potentially embarrassing fact: Any time I tune into the Sunday livestream or One More Thing or a college group Zoom call, I usually log off and cry. I cry because I miss the gathering of the saints so much it hurts. I cry because out of thankfulness for each of my brothers and sisters. I cry because I miss hearing the congregation’s voice in praise. I cry because I think of how God has provided technology so we can gather still. I cry for so many reasons.
God has been teaching me a lot in my tears. He has been teaching about His love and comfort. He has been teaching about His grace. He has been teaching me a LOT about the idols that I have set up in my life. He has been teaching me about His sovereign hand in all of this.
As has been shared a couple of times during the Sunday livestreams and One More Thing, Psalm 77 has been a great reminder to me of how our hearts should respond in this time of uncertainty and crisis. We see this psalmist struggle with the calamity surrounding him, but in the midst of his suffering he declares: “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. (Ps. 77:11-14)”
I am convinced that there is not a single person that hasn’t been affected by this pandemic. In these times of uncertainty and crisis, let us remind our hearts of the God that we serve and let us come together and praise Him. We serve THE God, who is still seated on His throne, working all things for our good and for His glory. Let us declare who He is and give glory to Him. Soli Deo Gloria.
Your sister in Christ,
Hannah L.
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