A Word from Pastor Lisa: Stories of Love

“Every time I take a step in the direction of generosity, I know I am moving from fear to love.” – Henri J.M. Nouwen

We all have a money story, whether we recognize it or not. Maybe that’s a story of joy and generosity. Perhaps a narrative of fear or shame. Maybe we’ve witnessed great sacrificial giving, or perhaps we’ve been told we will never have enough or be enough. Oftentimes these stories are deeply embedded in our culture, our lives, and our families.

My paternal grandmother and maternal grandfather were formed by the Great Depression with very different outcomes. My grandmother was a hoarder who never missed a coupon, rebate, or clearance deal. Her home was packed from floor to ceiling with Styrofoam trays, empty jars, coffee cans, newspapers, paper towel rolls, and photographs because you never know when you might need something again. One night a burglar broke into her home, tearing her front door off the hinges. When the would-be robber took one look at all of the stuff, they turned back around. “Clutter heaven saved my life!” my grandma proclaimed to all who would listen.

My grandfather was shaped by the same Depression very differently. He still lives a very simple life in assisted living with little attachment to personal possessions. At almost 103, he’s been retired longer than he worked, and he’s grateful for his pensions. He says he’s more blessed than he deserves, and he is abundantly generous to his family. He loves to surprise his grandkids with financial gifts when we don’t expect them. He supports his church. He embodies a spirit of simplicity and loving kindness to those around him.

While admittedly I like a double coupon deal like my grandma, I also strive to embody the simple, generous spirit of my grandfather. He continues to be a role model for me as I consider my own practices around money and generosity. How can I loosen my grip on my possessions? How can I share eagerly with those in my inner circle, and also those far beyond?

I wonder about your own formative years:

·         Who were the leading characters in your money story?

·         Who taught you, directly or indirectly, about finances and generosity?

·         Who gave you healthy perceptions of money?

·         Who impacted your story negatively?

And now, as you practice generosity:

·         Who are the leading characters?

·         Who are your guides, models, and experts?

·         Who in Bloomington or in the church inspires you to give of your gifts and resources?

We’re going to spend the month of October exploring stories of generosity, in particular narratives from Scripture where the generosity of God are on full display. We will be using a resource called Sanctified Art that combines poetry, art, and liturgy to draw us deeper in worship. We will be inspired to consider our gifts to support the mission and ministry of First Methodist in 2022.

We hope you’ll also engage in these ways:

·         Attend Pacesetter Events on Sunday, Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. OR Monday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. RSVP to Mariah.

·         Participate in the Stories of Generosity Stewardship class starting Sunday, Oct. 3 at 10:45 a.m.

·         Post pictures and stories of generosity on social media with the hashtag #GenerosityAtFirst. Perhaps you’ll thank someone who has been generous to you. Or maybe you’ll celebrate a family gathering after a long pandemic year apart. Or maybe you’ll notice the abundance of God’s creation in this autumn season.

We all have stories to share. May our stories of generosity empower us to take the next step in love.