January is my least favorite month! The decorations of Christmas have been boxed and put away for another year. The weather usually turns colder and we may even have snow to contend with. Perhaps what makes it so dreary is not any of these things but the tendency we have to hibernate. The only time we see our neighbors is an occasional hurried wave. Family that was here for the holidays have retreated to their homes. That gnawing feeling of isolation haunts us and causes us to be sad.
From the beginning of time, we are called to be in community. Starting with creation and continuing through Paul’s admonitions to various congregations, we are expected to be in fellowship with one another. God calls us to reach out, to engage and to assist where we can. As we get caught up in the doldrums of January, it is up to us to use this time as an opportunity to engage one another.
Why not invite someone to share a meal or just a cup of coffee? Call someone you have missed speaking with. Write a letter to share your appreciation to someone for their friendship. It is up to us as Christians to be of good cheer and share the good news of the Gospel.
Rev. Dr. Fred Leasure, Parish Associate