Yolanda Pendleton, Director of Missions, Community Outreach & Advocacy
As a child I remember my grandmother saying, “A change is among us.”
I never imagined we would be sheltered in our homes, or wearing masks for our own protection.
I’m guessing sometimes our surroundings have to change to get our attention.
I’ve never been isolated like this before.
Why are we limited?
Is it to use this time of isolation to realize God has the right pieces to make the puzzle of life fit together?
Is it to give us hope?
I still have hope.
We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul …
God’s mighty grace gives me hope everyday.
Our world today so desperately hungers for hope.
My hope is one day there will be no separation, and we will love all as we love ourselves.
We will spread love in our homes, communities and churches without despair.
In every season of life, whether we are celebrating, mourning, rejoicing, questioning or trusting, we can hold fast to hope.
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.
And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
First Reflections 