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Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

Evangelical Lutheran Church In America

406 White Plains Rd. . Trumbull, CT 06611 . (203) 372-8844  
The Rev. Linda J. Kraft, Pastor

Pastor's Message

Summertime seems like a time when, at least in our minds we have--or SHOULD have--a little more time on our hands for rest and relaxation. So how do we invest this time? I say "invest" rather than spend because that's how I like to think of what I do with the time God has given me to use.

I can choose to use my time in so many ways. One of my favorites is working in my yard--mowing the lawn, pulling weeds from the flowerbeds, tending the perennials and planting the annuals, planning where to put new bushes and new planting beds. That has so many benefits: I like the sense of accomplishment and, after the sore muscles have calmed down, I feel strong and proud and encouraged to be more creative. If part of what I've planted is vegetables, and if the sun and weather cooperate (and I remember to feed and water appropriately!), my family also benefits with good fresh produce.

One I'm finding a profitable way to use my time is in intentionally exercising. Before I started my Weight Watchers routines, I thought a few trips up and down the stairs in my home was good enough for one day. After all, I'd justify, in my line of work sitting was pretty much expected. Reading and typing and visiting and talking on the phone were all sedentary. There just wasn't any way a pastor could be expected to exercise. That was my excuse, anyway. Now, I've found I look for excuses TO exercise. While I still haven't found a way to include a lengthy regimen in my daily routine, I move more every chance I get. If I'm in the church office and warming a meal in the microwave, I walk laps around the fellowship hall while waiting. If I eat at the mall, I power walk past the temptations of all the shops and run through my prayer list while I go. On my day off, I work in the yard. I try to get to Curves at least once a week. Exercise is habit forming.

Some people fill their time with "face-time." They need to be with other people. They volunteer at the nursing home or at the library or the hospital or in any number of places helping out where they're needed. Their free time is filled just to the level they want it to be, not over-scheduled, and they feel rewarded and needed. The time commitment they make helps put structure to their days and gives them a sense of purpose.

Others spend time with "things." And this is not necessarily a negative. Creativity can be expressed in so many ways. Teens often write poetry they hide away; they express their deepest thoughts to the pages but not to anyone else. Or they draw powerful pictures, fiercely-expressioned faces that tell a story all their own. Still other people of all ages use their hands to shape wood or metal, fabric or yarn, beads or wires or shells or all kinds of natural and created forms to make something new of something that just is.

Our creator made us all with an innate sense of creativity and imagination. Someone might say, "Oh, I can't draw a straight line," but you notice him making the most intricate squiggles on his napkin. Isn't that how Picasso got started? God gave us a need to produce something beyond ourselves; we can see it in the toddlers who show off their first finger painting in pudding on the high chair tray.

Even if the twenty-four hours of summer are no longer than the twenty-four hours of winter, you and I do have more hours of daylight, more hours to be outside enjoying, creating, digging, planting, swimming, riding, walking, bird watching, listening, talking, hugging, singing, creating and enjoying creation.

Invest your time wisely. Invest your time enjoying God's own creation--YOU. Take time for you. Take time to enjoy yourself, express yourself, share yourself. And, remember, if you're not here at Holy Trinity this summer, we're going to MISS yourself! So don't be gone too long. We want you to be yourself here, too. See you soon!

Pastor Kraft