Is anything too wonderful for the Lord?

Dear Saint Andrew’s,

Summer has begun! I hope everyone is enjoying thoughts of vacation and respite, taking time out for simply being.

Saint Andrew’s is a place of refreshment. It is very interesting to think about our history in that light. For many years, Saint Andrew’s was a summer chapel, an oasis from the heat. Our history has formed us to be a people who are mindful of the importance of coming to church each week as a way of being renewed.

This Sunday’s Old Testament lesson is a story of refreshment.

In Genesis 18, Abraham offers hospitality to three strangers who seek respite from the desert sun under a large tree near Abraham’s tent. Abraham brings water to wash their feet, weary from travel. Sarah bakes bread to assuage their hunger. Servants prepare a calf for celebration.

After resting and eating, these mysterious strangers tell Abraham that Sarah will have a son. Who are these men that seem to speak for God? Sarah laughs in disbelief because she is far past child-bearing years. But God’s response to her laughter is simply this.

“IS ANYTHING TOO WONDERFUL FOR THE LORD?”

Sarah did indeed have son and he was named Isaac, which means “he laughs”. The “impossible” announcement by the three mysterious visitors became a glorious reality.

I look forward to our time together on Sunday, a time set apart for God, a time to be refreshed, a time full of possibility.

In faith, hope and love,
Shearon+