Hearing Each Other’s LIves.

One of the privileges of being a pastor is hearing people’s stories.  Often I am the first to hear people’s bad news, and sometimes it’s heavy.  My heart responds because I remember what it feels like to have your plans and hopes trashed.  I am also able to remind people that it’s still possible to craft a life from the broken pieces and that God carries us when we can’t walk on our own.  It is God’s presence that binds our hearts together and lets our experience speak of our humanity.  I have come to understand that the empty and broken places in our lives leave the space for God to work, so when we share our stories of sorrow and pain and just listen to each other, we are participating in that opening for God’s love to support us as we support each other.  It is a privilege.