From the Rector - Jody Greenwood
In our editor’s invitation for this edition of Tideline, Geneva expressed emphatically, “When we tell our stories of relationships with people and with institutions, we are also revealing our relationship with God. So please let’s tell our stories. God dwells in our histories, so please let’s tell our stories.” I’m grateful to Geneva and give thanks for all who shared of themselves through their stories in this Tideline.
Over the past eighteen months we’ve each experienced changes in our relationship with the people and the institutions in our lives. Some changes we made by choice, but most changes were thrust upon us due to the pandemic.
Some confronted these changes like a novice surfer catching a wave that’s beyond their skill level. Unsteady and with heart pounding, they climbed atop the board and rode the churning water, surprised by how far they got before being tossed back into the sea, yet paddling out again and again, inviting another, come what may. Some navigated these changes by staying in control of as much as they could, pushing the pause button on usual interactions and activities until everything “returns to how it was before.” My guess is that we’ve each used a combination of these, and myriad variations in between, depending on the significance of the relationship – people and institutions - in our life.
As I look back over my COVID-time, I’ve been surprised to discover for whom and what I’ve been willing to attempt a risky wave and for whom or what I’ve chosen to push the pause button and perhaps let it go entirely. As to what this might reveal about my relationship with God… I’ll need to give that more consideration. For now, I am simply thankful that God is loving, forgiving, and generous. Alleluia!
