Pastor’s Corner – June 20, 2024
Dear Beloved,
In my last note to you, I shared that I am inviting you to journey through colors as a spiritual practice. When I pondered what color we might begin with for your journey, gray came to mind.
Years ago, an art teacher changed my perspective on the color gray. When I asked her what her favorite color was. Her response was “gray” which puzzled me. Gray? Why gray? She said she liked gray because it was warm. I still think of her every time I put on a gray sweatshirt or sweater and thank God for hugging us with warm grays. Gray days also come to mind when I think of the color gray, and I thank God for the quiet and rest that gray days sometimes offer.
I thought I might find the word gray in the story of God protecting the people of Israel with a pillar of clouds, but I did not. I did find many uplifting passages about gray hair - about praising God until our hair is gray - about trusting God in youth and with gray hair. There are also passages that help us honor age in a culture that often speaks of aging in a negative way. I am grateful for the energy, effort, commitment, time, strength, kindness, and wisdom of so many people with gray hair, and I’m grateful that people still allow me to connect and be part of things even as my hair continues to gray.
What comes to your heart, mind, and spirit when you see the color gray or hear the word gray? May meditating with or on the gifts of God’s colors offer you encouragement this day and in days to come. May you know you are loved and treasured by the Creator of all the colors, shades, and hues.
With gratitude and hope,
Sarah
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. (Proverbs 16:31)
The glory of youths is their strength, but the beauty of the aged is their gray hair. (Proverbs 20:29)
