So many times in our lives, starting when we are about three, we assert
our independence. You know, like this: "I'll do it MYSELF!". Can't you
just see a little one stomping her foot or sticking out her jaw as she
states her wish? It seems to me that in The United States, we continue
that mindset even though we may never again say it out loud with that
defiance. Maybe it's in our DNA, as a country. After all, in 1776 we won
our independence and have rejoiced and celebrated that hard fought victory
on July 4th ever since. Historically, we are certainly grateful and
blessed to be living in a country with such important freedoms, and our
celebrations remind us of that and remind us not to take these freedoms
for granted.
However, there is a "but". . . the fuller story is that we won our
independence from England. But we won it together. Let me repeat: we
won it together. Sometimes I think we forget about the "together" word.
In this country it seems to me that individual independence has been and
continues to be highly valued. But nobody, nowhere, no how is ever truly
independent. It's a myth, a joke, a farce, to believe any differently.
From our very birth we need others, Mommy and Daddy, a doctor, nurses, in
order to give that first glorious cry of life and then to thrive in their
loving care. As we enter school, we need teachers of all kinds in order
to learn and mature. Once we finish school, we learn to work under the
tutelage of our bosses. We learn to write checks and handle money, all
with the help along the way of our parents and friends. We learn to have
friends by the give and take that friendships require. We quarrel and
make up, talk and listen, laugh and cry together. As we choose a spouse
and wed, we learn how to be married by working things out with our
beloved. All the things we learned by having friends we apply in our own
household. We have a baby and then another, all along the way talking
with other women about this whole new pregnancy experience and then having
one's very own baby and sharing the awe of having been God's instrument in
creating this tiny miracle. And we raise this child and sometimes more
than one with help and advice from others. How else would we be able to
do all these things? And one day, with our children grown and gone,
making their own lives with their own spouse and children, we have time to
think about what we did and how we did it and thank God for all our
blessings and pray even more intentionally for our children's wellbeing.
(Who taught us to pray?) Always always there are others very important to
us, deeply significant in our lives, whether for good or ill or both. We
are NOT independent beings; we are interdependent, needing others as they
need us. God made us that way. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Judy Bergeson, Diaconal Minister
Salem Lutheran Church
UPCOMING EVENTS AT SALEM
Labor Day weekend services involve a Blessing of the Hands AND of the
tools, symbols of our work. Everyone is invited to bring one of those
tools or symbols from work and lay it on the table in the front of the
sanctuary for a blessing. A new year is beginning!
The following Sunday between services, we will celebrate Rally Day!
Please come join in the fun. This celebration is taking a new and very
fun form. Don't miss it!
Pastor Janet Hunt is planning to teach a class for five weeks at Salem on
the Old Testament. It will be Monday eves beginning at 7 PM. What an
opportunity to learn more!
Scott Graves will lead another week-long Mission Trip in October to Ocean
Springs, MS. Call the church office for more information.
And in November, we will join in loading bags of food for starving
children. The
goal is one million bags packed. Together we can do this. Stay tuned for
when and where.
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