Today’s Word from Pastor Jim & Carter Castle…
What does it mean that each human is unique; like a flower or a snowflake or a sunset, and at the same time, in almost every way, we are identical? What does it mean that we are all children of God and yet each life unfolds as a new story? The Bible tells us that there is “nothing new under the sun,” and yet every day when I arise the sun greets me, and the pages of my story are waiting to be written. The Creator of all life is also the co-author of my life story. But God assumes a supporting role, gifting us with limited free-will, and allowing us to exercise that free-will by making decisions that will largely determine the trajectory of our lives. Each of us must claim primary authorship of our story, and if that story needs to change it is up to us to change it.
We are extraordinary and we are run-of-the-mill humans. We are one of a kind and we are mostly the same; the cumulative nature of our experiences will be unique in human history and yet every thought, feeling, emotion, or sensation has already been a part of the shared human story. There is nothing new under the sun.
Carter Castle has grown up at Trinity Lutheran Church. He is 15 years old now. For his entire life he has worshiped with his family, feasted on Smarties, and keenly observed life and nature. Carter has written a poem for us and I thank him for sharing it with us.
Just My Name
Even before I was rudely introduced into this world,
my parents had already chosen my name.
They named me Carter.
Nothing too special.
Only as special as the sunrise over the ocean,
or the old swing in the backyard.
Only as special as a friendly greeting,
or a favorite book.
Nothing too extraordinary.
Like a bird on the old tree,
or the whispers of the wind in the woods.
Like a warm spring day,
or a familiar face in a new place.
My name is only as remarkable as I see fit,
and today I am content to be neither extraordinary nor special.
I am content to be me.
Thanks Carter! You have inspired us and given us entrée into deeper thinking. We think that you are extraordinary, we are proud of you, and we are excited to see your life unfold.
Much love,
Pastor Jim
