Union
Messenger
GRATEFUL FOR OUR SCARS?
We are in the middle of the
Lenten season here at Union
Some years ago on a hot summer day in south
Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind
his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back
door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went.
He flew into the water, not
realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was
swimming toward the shore. His mother, in the house looking out the
window, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter
fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could.
Hearing her voice, the little boy
became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too
late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the
dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator
snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the
two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was
much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her
screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in
the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the
vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where
his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son
she loved.
The newspaper reporter, who
interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his
scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride,
he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on
my arms, too. I have them because my mom wouldn't let go."
You and I can identify with that little boy.
We have scars, too. No, they are not from an alligator. They are the scars of a sometimes painful
past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep
regret. But, some of these wounds are likely because God has refused to
let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you.
The scripture teaches that God
loves us. We are children of God. He wants to protect us and
provide for us in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into
dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of
life is filled with peril - and we forget the danger that lurks there.
When we are struck by our own alligator and the tug-of-war begins, we can be
grateful for the scars of His love on our arms - very grateful. They
simply mean that God did not and will not ever let you go.
It is a blessing beyond measure
that God holds on to us tenaciously in the rough times. It is also God's
blessing that he allows us to be a blessing to others. We should never judge other persons scars,
because we don't know how they got them. We just never know where persons are
in life and with what they are dealing.
Right now, I'm sure someone around you needs to know that God loves them
----- enough to not let them go. And your expression of love to them may just
what God needs to reach out and get a firm grip.
Grace
and peace,
Paul
Holy
Week
Palm
Sunday
Sunday,
March 28, 10:30 a.m.
Procession
of Palms
Maundy
Thursday Service
Thursday,
April 1, 6:45 p.m.
Supper
will be served at 6:00 p.m.
Good
Friday
Friday,
April 2, 12:00 p.m.
Service
of the Nails
Light
Luncheon to follow
Easter
Celebration
Saturday,
April 2, 2:00 p.m.
Easter
Sunrise Service
Sunday,
April 4, 6:45 a.m.
Community
Breakfast immediately following the service.
Easter
Worship Service
Sunday,
April 4, 10:30 a.m.
For a
complete calendar for the month of March, please visit
www.unionchurchumc.org/calendar.php
Caring
Hearts
March
10th, 12:00 p.m.
The
host and hostess will be John & Pat Kinder and Mary & Robert Morrison.
Our
special guest speaker will be Julie Wells from the Rockdale Citizen.
She
writes wonderful articles for the
Saturday Religious Section.
So
bring your favorite covered dish, a friend or neighbor and join us for a good
time.
Men’s
Breakfast
Sunday,
March 7th, 7:30 a.m.
Fellowship
Hall
March
Health Ministries
AARP
will offer a classroom type Driver Safety Program Class on April 20th &
22nd, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
in The
Fellowship Hall.
AARP
Membership is not required for the Course.
The
cost has increased to $14.00 with a discount for AARP Members.
Two
four hour sessions on the days noted above are required.
AARP
Members must bring and show their membership cards to the first session.
Completion
of the course will allow you to apply for a reduction on your automobile
insurance costs.
For
more information call the church office.
God
Bless,
Marilyn
Harrison, RN
Welcome
New Members
Phil
& Suzie Grindstaff
105
White Acres Drive
Stockbridge,
GA 30281
770-389-3455
March Birthdays
Jordan Farmer 1
Patricia Bufford 2
Danny Petersen 4
Norman Langford 6
Larry Wigington 7
Bryan Marshburn 9
Donald Howington 12
Bettie Scarborough 14
Matthew Owens 14
Brooks Moss 15
Donna Brown 16
Joseph Goggans 19
Boyd Ethridge 21
Cecily Hilton 21
Tyler Vansant 21
Mike Poole 22
Sierra Toney 22
Janice Dobbs 24
Coryn Leach 26
Ryan Thomas Brown 26
Joe Ray 28
Brandon Poole 28
Myrium McElroy 31
Our Shut-Ins
Bill & Maggie Rainey
770-788-9584
Merryville
Assisted Living
11980
Highway 142
Room 49
Oxford,
GA 30054
Mary Ellen Morris
770-810-7172
Yellow
Brick House 770-482-4044
6903 Main Street #138
Lithonia, GA 30058
HOMEBOUND
Gail Stone
Joy Anderson
Harper Moseley
Johnnie Cox
Martha Mobley
Ruth Richardson
Ralph Richardson
Vivian Richardson
Virginia Clark
Miriam Toney
Jean Toney
Margaret Mann
Nita Emmett