As many of you know, my family and I recently returned from a much-needed vacation, a time of rest and rejuvenation that was truly a blessing. In returning as soon as we walked through the door of our home, we were greeted not by the peace we had left behind but by the organized chaos of ongoing construction. The parsonage is currently undergoing significant updates—new roofing, siding, and window replacements, all essential improvements that we’ve eagerly anticipated.
I want to take a moment to express my deepest appreciation to Tom Wetmore and Wetmore Construction for their dedication and professionalism during this project. They really went above and beyond to do as much as possible while we were on vacation. Their hard work, alongside the support of the UMCG Trustees, is ensuring that the parsonage is not just beautiful but secure and lasting for years to come. These much-needed upgrades are funded in part by an insurance claim and in part through the Trustees Reserve Fund. We are truly grateful for this support.
And yet, as anyone who has lived through home renovations can attest, construction brings its own set of challenges. Furniture is out of place, a fine layer of dust seems to settle everywhere no matter how often you clean, and your daily routine is continually interrupted by the courteous and ever-present tradespeople who are making this transformation possible. The comforting rhythms of daily life—morning coffee in the usual spot, quiet evenings in a familiar setting—are temporarily disrupted, and with it comes a sense of disarray.
In the midst of this, I’ve found myself reflecting on how God meets us in the chaos. Just as our home is in a state of transition, many of us are also in a season of change as we prepare to return to the routines of school, work, and community life after the summer. The start of a new school year, the return to regular work hours, and the busyness of fall activities can feel overwhelming.
Yet, it is precisely in these moments of disruption and disorder that God’s presence becomes most evident. Our routines, even the busy ones, provide a sense of calm and structure that we often take for granted until they are disrupted. They offer a predictable rhythm to our days, a cadence that brings peace in the midst of life’s uncertainties. But when those rhythms are interrupted, we are reminded that our true foundation, our ultimate source of peace, is not found in the routines themselves, but in the God who is present with us, even in the messiness of life.
As it says in Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” This scripture reminds us that our peace is not dependent on the external order of our lives, but on our trust in God, who is our constant in all circumstances.
As my family and I navigate the last few days of dust and disarray of construction, we are comforted by the knowledge that this, too, shall pass. The construction will be completed, and our home will be better for it, just as we are better for the ways God is shaping and molding us through these moments of routine and disruption. And as we prepare for the school year to begin, we are reminded that God’s presence is not bound by our routines, but is with us in every moment—whether we are in the comfort of our usual schedules or the chaos of something new.
I am deeply grateful for the support and understanding of our church family during this time, and I extend that same understanding to all of you who may be facing your own seasons of change and disruption. Let us take heart in knowing that God walks with us through every season, bringing order out of chaos, and guiding us into new routines that reflect God’s presence in our lives.
This Sunday, I will be preaching on the topic of finding God in the return to routine. I invite you to join us as we explore how, even in the busyness of life, we can experience the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.
Blessings to you all as we navigate this season together.
