by  Susan P.

Another year has passed and amazingly, in l0 days I will have another birthday. I might add that Louis L. will also have a birthday because we share April 6th as our birthday. My upcoming birthday doesn’t end in 5 or 0 so seemingly, it shouldn’t be significant.  Funny, though, it is significant to me. Why? Somehow, the longer I live, which essentially means the older I get, I realize how precious life is.  Have you ever read the book The Three Questions? This book is based on Leo Tolstoy’s work. A little boy poses three questions that he wants answered so that he can know he has made the right choices for living his best life. The questions are WHEN is the best time to do things?  WHO is the most important one?  WHAT  is the right thing to do?

I found this book interesting because Nicolai finds his answers and these were very close to my thoughts as well. Like Nicolai, I have found, I know, that the best time to do things is NOW, the most important one is always the  person or persons you are with, and the most important or the right thing to do in this world is to love and do good for the one who is standing at your side. Now, You, Love, – these are the answers to Nicolai’s questions.

Now to take it a step further,  NOW,  YOU, my family/ our church family, the LOVE of Jesus Christ -these are indeed the most important things of all.

As I approach yet another birthday, I am so thankful for the gift of life.  I don’t obsess about getting older or the here-after- I am eternally gratefully for the gift of life that I have through Jesus Christ right here on earth as well as beyond. I am so grateful for each day and my family and friends. FCC-Greensboro has been my church home and family for over 35 years.  What a gift, what a treasure we all have here. Whether you have been here for over 50 years or have just recently come into this church family, you know that it is a gift.

Am I giving back? Am I contributing to the family that has stood with and by me all of these years? The church family where Ed and I came in our early 20’s thanks to Jay M., where I had the opportunity to work (with Don K. on a few occasions) at Christmount Camp as a counselor, where Justin and Erin were dedicated as babies, where the opportunity to be part of the Sunday School classes, teach in VBS, co-lead Easter egg hunts (for over 15 years!), learn with and enjoy my Agape/ CWF sisters, sing in the choir, be part of the search committee that brought our own Rev. Lee Hull Moses to us, have the  support of my family during my dad’s illness and passing … I could go on and on!

My point is… Well, what is my point?

The Stewardship Committee is asking for our support and help as we begin our new Stewardship year. And as I said, my birthday is in l0 days. It isn’t time for me to think about what I will be given for a birthday gift. It is time for me to think about MY gift to FCC-Greensboro. Am I giving back? Am I contributing to the family that has stood with and by me all of these years? Am I being a good steward for NOW, YOU, for the privilege and LOVE  of Jesus Christ and his people?

Join me, join the Stewardship Committee as we work together to be good stewards now, for the family of Christ inside these church walls and out as we  share the love of Christ.

The Stewardship Team invites you to share your story, too. What has made First Christian Church important in your life? Why do you continue to support the ministries of this congregation? Please contact Chris G., Stewardship Team Leader, or the church office if you’d like to share your story.