As I write this, there is a continual banging on my window. Because the parsonage we live in is a bi-level, the window in my home office where I work and write these devotions, is on ground level. And for the last week, I’ve had a suicidal adolescent cardinal distracting me.

 

During sunny days and even when it’s overcast, I see it sitting in the large evergreen bush right outside. Then he leaps, flaps it’s wings a few times and BANG, he strikes the window with his beak. Sometimes he doesn’t even bother with the flight. He’ll perch himself on the window frame and just repeatedly bonk his beak on the windowpane over and over again. Doesn’t he get a headache?

 

I figure he’s a male from this year’s brood because his crest is turning red as well as some of his feathers. And his banging on the window is so loud, we can hear it throughout the house. I have to close my home office door in order for my husband and I to watch the evening news. And even with the TV on we can still hear it!

 

So I asked my buddy Ed about it at church on Sunday. He told me that from my description of this pesky beast that yes, he is probably an adolescent male. He said that cardinals are aggressive birds by nature. And because the window acts like a mirror, that crazy cardinal thinks it’s another cardinal looking at him, and by his nature, he goes after it.

 

The good news, he told me, is that there’s something online that you can order to put on the window that stops growing male cardinals from doing this. Somehow it breaks up the reflection in the mirror.

 

So let me ask you this. What do you see when you look in the mirror?

 

My mom, who had a wonderful sense of humor, as she aged, she looked more and more like my grandmother. She’d look in the mirror and say to her reflection: “Mother, what are you doing in my mirror!” And then, she’d laugh. And it was true. As my mom aged, she did look more and more like my grandmother.

 

Aging is not for the faint of heart. It happens to all of us. Our faces change as we age. But regardless of how they change, I do hope that what you see in your mirror is someone a little older, a little wiser, someone who is more loving and kind. Someone you’ve learned to like, maybe even love.

 

Regardless of how our faces change, I pray that you like what you see there: that you see a beloved child of God, who loves you with a love that will never let you go. Our God who looks at you and says to you, “You are precious in my sight.”

 

Yours in the journey,

Pastor Kristen

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                                               Announcements:

 

This Friday, May 23rd Scouts' Pack 123 will have Community Clean Up. They will begin around 6:30 p.m. around Crete United Methodist Church. Thank you Scouts. 

 

This weekend, on Saturday, May 24th, in the parking lot of Main and Exchange will be The Crete Lions Club Mini Health Fair, from 12p to 4:00p. At the fair you can be screened for hearing loss or eye diseases and can have your blood pressure checked. You can also donate blood. On Facebook yesterday the Lions Club advertised that those who donate blood can receive a $25 e-gift card and they urge that you make an appointment today. Please check the Crete Lions Club Facebook page for more information.

 

Save the Date: On Sunday, June 29th, after church service hotdog and chips will be served. This event will be hosted by our Women's Club. All are invited to attend.

 

The next Women's Club meeting will be held on Monday, June 2nd, in the narthex. All are welcome to attend. The group meets the first Monday of every month.

 

We are in the need of greeters for Sunday Services. If interested in becoming a greeter, please contact the women's club.

 

The Crete United Methodist Thrift Shop is open on Saturdays, from 9p- 3p. Yesterday's posting on Facebook said they just got in some molds that are used for ceramics. They do get new merchandise in weekly. We wish to thank all the volunteers for all their hard work.

 

Save the Dates from June 16th through August 4th, rain or shine, for the Farmers' Market. It is being held at Main & Exchange, in the church's parking lot from June 16th through August 4th, only on Monday nights. rain or shine. If interested in being a vendor then please contact The Crete Chamber of Commerce at https://www.cretechamber.com) for an application. Once the application is downloaded and completed, please email to cretechamber.info@gmail.com and they will contact you about being a vendor.

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