We all have seasons of life that are difficult. In 1636, Martin Rinkart, a German pastor in the midst of the Thirty Years War, buried five thousand of his parishioners in one year. The average was fifteen burials daily. Death, War, and economic hardship flooded their lives.

In the midst of the bleakest times amid cries of fear and sorrow outside his window, he sat down and wrote this simple table grace for his children. It remains a popular hymn, often sung around Thanksgiving:

“Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices. Who wondrous things hath done in whom His world rejoices. Who from our mother’s arms hath led us on our way, with countless gifts of love and still is ours today.”

How was he able to give thanks in the midst of all the terror? The strength that God provided to him to simply get out of bed and offer hope in the midst of despair is incalculable. When difficult times come, most of us ask the question why. Suffering opens us to question God and to seek answers. Sometimes well-meaning people tell us things that are not actually in the Bible, hoping it will somehow comfort us when life is filled with suffering and pain.

This Sunday we begin a short sermon series: Things Jesus Never Said. The first message, Everything Happens for a Reason, is based on John 9:1-9. Jesus and his disciples encounter a man who was born blind. They wanted to know the cause of his suffering. Jesus’ response is both surprising and refreshing.

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday; invite a friend to join you.

Peace,

Pastor Cathy