Grief, Grace, and the Gift of Being Present

On Thursday morning we learned that we lost two beloved members of our congregation, Bill Wynne and Susan Kensill. In the midst of the flurry of church activities, I was blessed with a message on WhatsApp from Liset Amador, a member of the congregation in Placetas, Cuba. She wrote:

We live our lives constantly rushing—from one thing to another, from one obligation to the next, from one pending task to another. Sometimes we say, “We don’t have time.” Yet, saying this makes us realize something: we aren’t allowing ourselves to truly live. And amidst this whirlwind of thoughts, mental chatter, and fleeting fantasies, we often let life pass us by.

Life isn’t always found in the grand moments; rather, it resides in the simple things: a shared coffee or tea, an unhurried conversation, caring for our bodies through exercise, an unexpected smile, a comfortable silence—those small, unplanned moments that are felt deep within us. Yet, we often overlook them because we are busy thinking about what comes next, what is missing, or what lies ahead. When was the last time you were truly *present*? Not just physically—with your body—but truly *present*: feeling, listening, and truly *seeing*.

Happiness—or a sense of well-being—is not something to be attained; it is something to be recognized. “Oh, I loved that!” And to recognize those emotions, you have to *be there*—you have to be present. And to be present, you have to STOP.

Today, there is no need to change your entire life. Just pause for a moment and simply *live* what is already here—this very moment we are sharing: listening to the birdsong, feeling the warmth of the sun, sensing nature all around us, or gazing at the sky, even if it’s cloudy. Let us simply live what is already here… *that* is what it means to STOP.

Remember: when simple things are shared, they become immense.

Let us set aside our worries and simply live this moment of coming together.

I’m grateful for the ministry that we share with Placetas and blessed by Liset’s words. Her message touched my heart that was breaking with the news of Bill and Susan’s passing. We grieve their loss even as we celebrate the eternal life promised in Christ.

See you in church!

Peace, love, and grace,
Pastor Kevin