Pastor Inge Whittemore

East Nelson United Methodist

9024 18 Mile Rd, Cedar Springs

Today as I sit to write this article I am looking out my dining room window at a gloriously blue sky with yellow and red leaves swirling in the breeze. It is a wonderful fall day at the cusp of a new winter on its way. The darkness overtakes the day and we begin to see our breath as we walk outside. Many people bemoan winter. It’s a long season and many of us simply endure it or retreat to warmer climes when winter moves down upon us. Of course there are those of us who really look forward to snow time sports, though I have to admit I don’t enjoy winter driving. But the season’s change is a blessing many in the world don’t get to experience. It’s always warm or temperate where they live and so they read about our experience and can only imagine how it feels. My sister lives in Tampa and in past years I’ve sent her colorful leaves from my yard just so she could enjoy the spirit of the season.

I guess this a lesson for all of us to check out our perspective on things. What one person enjoys, another may not. It’s really another way that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God gave us each individuality like none other on earth, before us or after us. So you think you are one in a million? If you are, then there are 7,000 people just like you since the population of the world is now over 7 billion (with a “b”)! You are one in 7-plus billion! Rejoice! God thought you up and made you like you are.

Love yourself because God loves you. He is good and cannot make mistakes. And, since he made each of us, we are not mistakes. Sometimes we get down on ourselves, we chastise ourselves and don’t believe in our abilities. I say, look to your Maker and know that you are His and He is yours. You are his beloved child.

Isaiah 43:1-28 ESV: But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.”