Message for October 12, 2025 from Pastor Shirley

This morning, on my way to work, I followed a car with a sign in the back window that said, “Learning stick, sorry for any delay.”  Knowing that, I stayed patient through the slow shifts and jerky starts.  Honestly, they were doing pretty well for someone still learning.

But then I caught myself wondering: Would I have been just as patient if I hadn’t seen that sign?  Probably not.  And that hit me hard.  Because the truth is, most people don’t wear signs that explain what they’re going through.  You won’t see,  “Going through a divorce.”   “Lost a child.”   “Feeling depressed.”   “Just diagnosed with cancer.”   If we could see people’s struggles written out, we would treat each other so much more gently.   But we shouldn’t need a sign to show kindness.  Everyone you meet is carrying something you can’t see, so let’s choose patience.  Let’s choose grace.  Let’s choose love – even when there are no signs to tell us.              
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Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Colossians 3:12-13 

Love is patient, love is kind. 1 Corinthians 13:4

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.  1 Corinthians 13:1

Be kind and compassionate to one another.  Ephesians 4:32