Dear Rose Park,

One of my greatest privileges as a pastor is walking alongside individuals and families as they approach the end of life. It can be tremendously painful and yet tremendously beautiful and poignant when gathered around the hospital bed or living room sofa offering prayers, singing songs, and saying goodbye to a loved one. Given the benefit of hindsight, it’s natural to look back upon your life and give thanks and praise to God for His faithfulness, but perhaps if our eyes are open to the work of the Holy Spirit we don’t have to wait until the end of life to give thanks and praise.

Dear Rose Park,

I love to tell stories, perhaps this is why I enjoy preaching so much. I love sharing the vision, memories, and feelings of a story. I love to tell stories to my kids and friends. Whether it’s the story of how I got a scar when I was younger or the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I love to tell stories.

Dear Rose Park,

This past Sunday we started a series entitled “A House Built Upon Rock.” It draws inspiration from Christ’s words in the Sermon on the Mount; the house that is built upon rock will endure and withstand the storms. Similarly, the Church when it is built upon the rock of Jesus will be able to endure and withstand any storm. To help us do this, we’ll join with the global church and lean into the guidance of the Lectionary.

Dear Rose Park,

A few nights ago, Simon didn’t feel very well. His nose was a little stuffy and he had a tickle in his throat that wouldn’t ago away. Rather than endure the sounds of him walking back and forth from his bedroom to the bathroom to get a tissue every ten minutes, I thought I’d bring the box of tissues to him. As I tucked him into bed he asked me, “Daddy can you lay with me and tell me a story?” There’s no way I could say no, he had me hook, line, and sinker.

Dear Rose Park,

Within the past week I received two phone calls that varied tremendously. One call was filled with tears, the other with joy. One call was about a funeral, the other about an engagement. The first call was from a beloved member letting me know that her dad passed away, the second was from a friend that I haven’t heard from in almost three years. Though these calls varied in emotion and tone, they both displayed the faithfulness of God in times of sorrow and joy.

Dear Rose Park,

My all time favorite children’s book is entitled My Dad the Magnificent. It’s not the most popular story and it was never made into a movie, but it tells the story of how the ordinary events of life can be the most meaningful.

Dear Rose Park,

Every morning when I drive into the office I go right past the veterinarian’s office on Butternut. Whoever manages their sign outside the office door deserves a raise because they post the most clever and witty jokes. Before Thanksgiving it read, “what do you call a running turkey? Fast food!” but if you drive by right now, you’ll read “Never make a snow angel at the dog park.”

Dear Rose Park,

“Weddings are easy; marriages are difficult.” Eugene Peterson wrote this in his book Run With The Horses and it’s absolutely true. Don’t get me wrong, I love officiating and attending weddings. I love the pageantry, the flowers, the music, the setting, and the traditions. Every once in a while, Sam and I will reminisce about our own wedding and share lovely memories of friends and family gathering to honor and witness our commitment to each other and God, but don’t for a second think that the wedding is the hard part.

Dear Rose Park,

What brings you joy? Is it the laughter of your children or grandchildren? The long enduring friendships you’ve had since high school? The beautiful music we hear during the holidays? A quiet walk in the woods? The sound of the church bell signifying worship? Or even the collective voices in the sanctuary singing together on Sunday morning? What brings you joy?

Rose Park Family,

Many of you know my mother, Kathy, works in the music department at Hope College. She’s been the administrator in the office for over twenty years. In that time she’s worked with faculty and staff from all over the world, helped students navigate the halls and their classes, and even moved from their previous location at the center of campus to the current location on the corner 10th St. and Columbia Ave. This past week, my mom sent me a link to one of Hope’s chapel services being led by Assistant Professor of Music Instruction and Director of Choral Activities, Eric Reyes.