STEWARDSHIP MOMENT: Melissa

It is a beautiful day. The sky is a blanket of overcast grey cloud, peeks of sunlight falling through at each soft opportunity. The leaves are putting on a show after a summer of photosynthesis. Their lush green has transformed in to autumn's golden glow. 

I notice them falling in pairs to the forest floor. A gentle dance with the breeze when they are ready to make their descent back to the earth. But they aren’t done yet…they will pile upon each other and make a mulch. Mulch that will warm the roots of the trees like a jacket would in winter. With the snow melt of spring they will decompose and provide fertilizing nutrients, awakening and nourishing the forest. 

This is stewardship. 

An organic flow of “what is”. The natural state that is helping, loving and nurturing. Following our feelings when we feel them. 

This could be through prayer with God. Praying for guidance, for ourselves and others. This could be done through identifying the feelings we get and moving with them. “Hmm… They need my help”, “I could definitely bring a hammer and join in rebuilding”, “I want to nourish them with some soup” etc. 

Just as the leaves listened to the breeze which guided them to the ground. It is when we listen to those prompts; when we identify our inner selves wondering in which ways we could assist, that we are able to move forward as stewards and make the magnificent happen.

I’m able to tell a great story of the stewardship that is abundant here at St. Johns. Just recently I underwent surgery and for recovery protocol was told to “rest”. 

I’m a mother of young children, so this request seemed rather daunting. Impossible perhaps. Rev. Cameron asked if he could put the word out that if anyone was able to cook our family a meal, that it would be appreciated. As the one who cooks dinner every night, I graciously accepted… my husband said “no, no we are totally fine! I’ve got this!” But not knowing what to totally expect, he agreed it would be a welcome help. 

Surgery came and went, and recovery as parents of busy children was exactly as one would imagine it to be… similar to what goes on inside a tornado, I would think. But the meals cooked by our church family started coming. And coming. And they were each so nourishing… we could taste the love and intention with each bite. Our kitchen was noticeably cleaner with less food prep happening. My husband acknowledged how incredibly helpful this was. How having the help with feeding the children each night definitely saved his sanity on multiple occasions. The children witnessed this stewardship first hand and it was a great example of how things are better when we all come together. We felt so held and cared for through each of those meals. 

I can’t quite put into words how grateful we are for all of you. You’ve truly made a rough time much, much smoother for us. Thank you for nourishing us through food, as well as your love and collective prayer.  
It’s with gifts like these that we are able to make a difference. Hearing and listening to Gods calling and figuring out which ways we as individuals are able to tend to that. 

To nourish each other and hold each other up in whatever way we are able. To provide warmth and restoration. That’s what stewardship means to me and that is certainly what I see here at St. John’s. What a beautiful thing. 

 

- Melissa