The Winds of Change

As long-time boaters, we tend to think of things in nautical terms. Just as many of you, we were devastated by the news of our beloved Gary's illness and the challenges he will face.

Soon afterward, we were again completely thrown off keel with the news of our dear David's call to another parish. We asked ourselves, what's going on here? What is God up to?

Everything was going so well, and now we were feeling completely lost. It was as if our boat was far out to sea and then suddenly lost power. All of our family is on deck and the boat is endlessly drifting at the mercy of the wind and the tide. What shall we do now? What does God want of us?

What does God want of us?

After we wallowed in self-pity for a while, we began to ponder that question more deeply. Our family is all on deck, our St. Stephen's family, and now we have the opportunity to pull together as a family does in times of trial and change.

We will rally around the head of our family, Gary. We will keep up with the chores and ensure that things keep running smoothly until he is back to full steam.

We will rejoice with our brother David as he begins his new and exciting journey. We send him out armed with the love of his family, his St. Stephen's family, and know that he will share it with our extended family.

And, we will extend our arms wide to welcome new family members as they arrive with the same joy a family feels at the birth of a new child.

What does God want of us?

We believe that God wants us to all pick up an oar and, in unison, continue to row. We will row through the wind and the tide of change until we reach the shore that God has planned for us. And we will do it as a family does--together.

- EARL AND SANDY RONEY

Re-published from "spirit", St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Richmond, VA