envelop spinner search close plus arrow-right arrow-left facebook twitter
Finding Good News

Finding Good News

by Rev. Laura Parker on January 14, 2021

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.   

Psalm 118:24

 

Be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5b
 

 

I saw some good news online today. Is that an oxymoron? Good news, online??? But there it was, popping up on my news feed: it is just about time for Girl Scout Cookies to go on sale! As if that were not enough to get my taste buds going and my joy flowing, I read that there is a new cookie being added this year. It is French toast flavored, dipped in icing. Of course, for me, nothing is better than the Samoa, aka Caramel deLites, and those will be available soon from an accommodating Girl Scout or two near me. Of that, I am certain. If this devotional does not generate some emails from Girl Scout parents in the congregation, I can just tell you now, you are missing out on a great marketing opportunity here.

 

There is something symbolic about the arrival of Girl Scout Cookie season for me this year. The last Samoa I had last year would have been just about the time everything changed. I am a little weary now, as I know you are too.

 

I get a little down in cold weather—it is just not my happy time—and we have had a couple of weeks now of colder-than-normal temperatures. I can’t enjoy time on my screen porch and It gets dark so early AND I got exposed to COVID (again) so I am going to have to tough it out at home for the next week. Nothing at church is the same. I still don’t know how to plan for Bible studies and discipleship opportunities for our congregation. Lent is just around the corner and what can I do to help us all mark that, experience that, internalize a season of repentance TOGETHER as the BODY of Christ? I long for a sanctuary and gym FULL of my peeps on Sunday mornings. As I said, I’m just a little down today!

 

But in the midst of all this, there is good news: Girl Scout Cookies are on their way!

 

I think there is a lot of other good news out there, too, if I just discipline myself to change the lens with which I survey “the kingdom” around me. Even now as I sit in my living room, I see the last rays of the sun today casting beautiful golden light around me. God did that, you know! I walked this morning and the bay was smooth as glass and just as peaceful as can be. God was there! I also read today that more opportunities for the COVID vaccination are opening up in our community in days to come, and I pray that will be a game changer for all our churches and all our people. And even as these days have been hard, you as a congregation have been gracious and encouraging and understanding as we have tried our very best to work our way through difficult days.

 

And, now, good news! Girl Scout Cookies will be here soon!

 

Can you and I together train the eyes of our hearts to look for good news around us? Can we commit those places that are hard and trying and discouraging to the grace of our God whose mercies are new every morning? Can we remind each other that God is good—all the time; all the time, God is good? Can we find contentment and joy each day in the knowledge that our good God is all around and will never, never, leave us? That is GOOD NEWS, indeed!

 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. AMEN.

 

Blessings,

Laura

return to Daily Devotionals