At the End Of The Day … Ponderosa Sunset

By Pastor Mark Woodward

Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith Churches (and Lenora)

As many of you know, I like to walk on my land lovingly nicknamed “The Ponderosa.” I like to walk in the woods, down the road and out in the field.  A few nights ago in the cool of the evening …  (somewhat cooler than the scorching heat of the day,)  I walked around and enjoyed the peace of the early evening.  I looked off to the west and took a picture of the sunset at the end of the day. The sun was shrouded in wildfire smoke and the atmosphere dripped with humidity. I sat at a picnic table and recounted the day and I thought for a little while about  the blessings of God’s redeeming love. 

Do you ever do that?  I love to just stop once  in a while and think, pray, rest, think some more and give thanks for God’s presence in my life … even when things get difficult and stressful.  (Sometimes the life of a pastor can get quite stressful as we try to follow our calling and be supportive of people in our communities and churches.) 

In 1847 Henry F. Lyte wrote “Abide With Me” and in the song it says, “Abide with  me; fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me …”    In the quiet of the evening, I thought about the words of that old hymn and reflected for a little while on the goodness of God’s blessings. Since Deanna’s passing, I get to feeling alone once in a while, but as I stood there that evening at the end of the day, I realized I wasn’t alone, God was right there with me. 

So … please know that God is with us all  and that Jesus walks with us in the course of our lives … we are never alone. So at the end of the day, take time in your quiet place to say, “Thank you God for the blessings of this day and  thank you for your unending love in Jesus Christ.”

God’s blessings always,

Your friend,

Pastor Mark Wodward