On Sunday my daughter wasn’t feeling well so we left church. After we left she said something to me that struck me. She said, “Mom, I am sorry I took you away from church.”

The truth was, leaving church didn’t cross my mind. What her question did was make me pause, and see that from her perspective she may have thought I valued being at church as more important than helping her.

I responded letting her know that her being well was more important than being at church. Church is a place where we grow in faith but the truth of our faith is seen in our words and actions; by whether we choose to live out love towards others, no matter where we are. And if I chose to stay at church over choosing to help my daughter when she felt sick, the message our faith is founded on would have been lost, on me, and on her.

I share this with you because this short interaction with my daughter really captured my heart. It made me see that I will be a wall, or a bridge to faith for others based on my choices.

I won’t pretend that I have gotten, or will get, this right every time. Yet I clearly see from this brief conversation with my daughter that my words and actions could be a wall or bridge for her to faith.

I pray to be a bridge.

I share this with you because it is an important reminder to all of us that our words and actions may be the bridge someone needs to God, or we could be creating a wall between others and God. I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.

May we be a bridge for others to God, reflecting the truth of God’s love and character, through our words and actions.

With love and hope,
Shawn