Today is a day of preparedness of me.  Family is coming, help get the house ready.  They have to eat, help get the food ready.  Tomorrow is a retirement party…. I am not quite sure how I get prepared for that one.  I have never done this before.  I do know this: JOY congregation is prepared for this.  They have been taught and encouraged to seek the Lord for help.  They have been shown that they can teach, lead, encourage, and care for one another.  Although tomorrow will be new for us all, we are prepared for whatever God brings next.  Grieve, yes.. celebrate, yes.. and know you are prepared to be God’s people in this place, at this time.  God has prepared you for this moment and you will continue to beheld by God, loved by God.  Today, know that YOU are prepared for whatever comes for God, the creator, Master of all is with you.  God is your strength.  Read Psalm 28:7 and 59:17 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Pastor Ed