Bravery, blessings and a limp

If you’ve seen me walk lately, you might have noticed that I’m favouring my left leg.

I was in Atlanta speaking at the Ecumenical Stewardship Center Generosity NEXT conference. I arrived early. While walking in Atlanta, I was so excited to see Martin Luther King Jr.’s church that I wasn’t paying attention to where I was walking - I stepped into a big hole in the sidewalk, fell to the ground and hurt my foot real good in the process. I’m still limping two weeks later (update: it took a year). So, I couldn’t manage the walking tour of this historic neighbourhood. However, I got to sit in Martin Luther King Jr.’s church and listen to recordings of him preaching. To say MLK could preach is an obvious understatement. He knew full well the hatred and injustice in the world, yet he hung on to hope. He had courage.

Listening to MLK preach changed the way I delivered my plenary about celebrating the offering as an act of worship. I was braver than before.

I got to eat breakfast in Atlanta with a friend who has the gift of encouragement. And another place, lunch with someone who finds value in my words. I could go on. I was braver than before.

I have spoken to various audiences in lots of ways this month: sermon, webinar, several presentations, plenary, workshop, Adult Sunday School. My toughest audience was not fundraisers, nor Christian leaders, nor church members, it was four, five and six-year olds. Sometimes teaching Sunday School feels like an exercise in crowd control. Just when I think no one is paying attention, a six year old boy wrote ‘you are blessings’ on the chalkboard.

I pass those words of encouragement along. You are blessings. Lean into that encouragement.