How many times have you ever uttered the word “never”? I would suspect that you have done it a multitude of times in a multitude of circumstances.

Never...

I have a friend, who, when pagers (remember those!) said, “I will NEVER have a pager!” I suspect that that same friend is now onto the 10th version of the newest phone, not to mention a pager.

Never...

My husband, when we first became married, once said, “I will NEVER own a minivan!” Three kids, 20 years, and over 300,000 miles later, we are now onto our second minivan!

Never...

Ordained in 1998, I once proclaimed, “I will NEVER cancel worship!” Throughout the past 22 years I have cancelled worship exactly 13 times to date. The first being on April 15, 2018 when over 15 inches of snow fell across our region… and then numbers 2-13 being during this global pandemic (there are more to come, I am certain!)

Never...

Ironically, I also once said, “I will NEVER be a YouTube pastor!” (You can now watch our worship services on YouTube!)

Someone once said, “If you want to make God laugh, tell God your plans!” God has certainly gotten a lot of humor out of me these days! 

When we proclaim “I never…” I wonder what God thinks of us. I wonder if, when we speak our , “I’ll Nevers’” if God leans in and says, “Have you ever…?” 

Imagine the possibilities that come with this opening line.

Have you ever…

        … realized how you are uniquely placed to do God’s work right where you are, in this time, in this place?

Have you ever…

        … thought about the blessings you have around you in family, friends, technology, food and housing?

Have you ever…

        … found that being “still” is not that same as being “bored”?

Have you ever…

        … had time to pause, reflect, think and pray?

Have you ever…

        … considered that God may be calling you to new ministry? New life?

I think God has a great sense of humor and turns our “I’ll Nevers” into “Have you ever’s…” What new place is God asking you to consider this day? How will you respond to God’s question, “Have you ever….?”

– Pastor Lauren J. Wrightsman

PRAYER

God of laughter and living. I wonder how many times you have laughed at the plans I have made for my life. I wonder how many times I have spoken the words, “I’ll never…” only to experience your urging to make me hear you speak, “Have you ever…?” Open my ears, this day, to the wonderful possibilities that are in your keeping. Open my life, my family, my world to your leading. I am yours and you are mine. May we laugh and love this day. Amen