HD Homilies- Until Then

In early spring of 2020, Covid spread across the world scene, changing everything familiar.  Businesses, churches and schools were closed down.  Rhythms of life were altered.  Bringing home groceries felt like we were handling plutonium.  We all had to learn how to Zoom and work remotely.

There were very positive things that came from that season as well.  Suddenly, we had time to walk around our neighborhoods and share conversations with folks - even if they were from opposite sides of the road.  We learned to do things as a family, learning new games and activities.  We rediscovered nature, traveling to state and national parks we had never experienced.  And we found new ways to stay in touch.

Since my job as Minister to Senior Adults involved visiting homebound members, I wanted to communicate with people I could not visit.  One day, as ENan and I were walking around the gravel road that adjoins our neighborhood, I spotted this little turtle.  He had stuck his head out of his shell long enough to take a peek around.  I remembered that Jesus said, “My Father is always at His work to this very day…” (John 5:17)  I was inspired to do like my turtle friend - to stick my head out of my house and my sanitized and protected environment - to see what God was up to.  I wanted to share what I discovered.  So I started writing Hunkered Down Homilies.

These homilies have been my therapy, my confession, my testimony and my witness to the truth that God is still working.  Many of you readers have shared that my homilies have made you laugh, made you cry, made you stop and reflect on God’s Word for you.  I am humbled that God has used my ramblings to shine some light into your world.

Since I will be retiring as Minister to Senior Adults in July, I will no longer be writing a homily each week.  I plan to keep watching to see where God is at work.  I will probably write down these revelations as they come, because words are how I process life.  

I hope you will keep your eyes open to the wonder and mystery of God as well.  If you see me on the beach or on the dance floor somewhere, ask me what God has been teaching me.  

And I will ask you the same thing.

-Dr. Jim Baldwin