A New Day

Wow, what A year! I never knew you could cram so much stuff into so little a time frame. We have begun a great Journey together here @ The Park. It may have seemed like a whirlwind at times, and it may have often felt like stumbling in the dark, but I can honestly say, "I think we are coming out of the fog."

Many of you have been through a lot this past couple years. You watched as a pastor that you loved and who deeply loved you, answered the call of God to move onto his next assignment in ministry. You experienced "doing church" for 18 months without the leadership of a senior pastor. You saw friends and family move onto other places of service. You felt alone and scared.

For the first time in a long time, Blackwelder Park Baptist Church knew what it was like to struggle. And struggle you did. God brought you through a very difficult time, but I think all can testify that He never left you or forsook you. The lessons learned in those difficult times are some of the most valuable lessons of life.

As you stumble in the fog you learn to slowdown and depend on God. You learn to lighten your load. You learn that through God, all things are possible. In the fog, you will find abilities you never had, and friends you never knew. You learn to walk by faith and not by sight.

But always remember, the fog is nothing more than God's signature of blessings on a new day. It's mist waters the ground and protects it from the heat of the day to come. The fog is God's way of calming our life down.

I think one of the best experiences I have had since returning to NC is sitting on my front porch in the morning with my daughter, sipping a cup of coffee and waiting for her bus to come pick her up for school. It's quiet (well at least after the bus comes and picks Katie up). I sit there in the mist of the morning and listen to the sounds of the community. I can't see what's going on, but I know its happening. I know that God is at work in my life, and He has given me a new day to impact the world for Him. Whatever the day before held is gone. Its a new day. I take another sip of my coffee, stand up, walk to my car and start the long drive to work. The windshield wipers piercing a hole in the fog as I emerge into the new day.

The past is behind. The day is new. The opportunities are great. And God is with us. Who can be against us?

Love you guys,

Pastor Keith