Today, as I usually do on Thursday, I sat at my computer ready to write my E-Pistle article.  I had some books close by for quick reference.   I clicked the Microsoft Word icon and waited for the program to open.  It did.  I was ready to go.  And then it happened. Nothing.  Nothing happened.  I just sat there staring at the screen, a blank page.  There was nothing. My fingers didn't move.  They wanted to, but my mind wasn't sending anything their way.

This was quite unusual.  Most days something comes.  Suddenly, like a flash, I know what I need to say.  Today, however, there was no flash, no sudden inspiration, no "Ah ha!  That's it!"  I just sat and stared at a blank page.  I sat looking at the cursor blinking.  Nothing, there was just a blank white page and the blinking cursor which I was finding increasingly irritating.  Then suddenly my fingers began to move and I really wasn't sure what they were doing.

That's just the way it goes sometimes.  There's nothing.  No flash.  No inspiration.  You sit and you look and you wait.  You just feel empty.  But, even then something happens.  God happens. The Spirit happens.  I was reminded that God is always stirring even when I don't know it.  God is always working even when I don't feel it.  God is always creating even when I think I have nothing to offer.  God is present not only in times of "inspiration" but in times of "depletion" as well.  God is present. God is working.  God is creating. God is using us even when we're not sure how or why. 

So remember the next time you find yourself staring at a blank page and feeling like the tank is empty.  God is near. God is present. God is working, even when we don't think so.   I guess inspiration did come. Imagine that!

In Christ,

Paul+

HONORING OUR FATHERS
Father's Day Donations
to the Crisis Ministry and
Father's Day Food Drive -
Sunday, June 21

When school lets out, low-income children lose that daily, nutritious meal and snack provided by federal funded, school lunch programs. This explains why the summer (with August being the worst month) puts an enormous strain on the Crisis Ministry's ability to keep its food pantry shelves adequately filled. So, please make a Father's Day gift really meaningful to Dad this year with both a tax-deductible donation and a bag of food going to the Crisis Ministry. To give food, please take a Crisis Ministry grocery bag from the Narthex and return it with your food donations (a list is stapled to the bag) next Sunday, Father's Day, June 21^st. The Crisis Ministry van will be in the Circle here at Trinity NEXT SUNDAY!

To make a donation, please go to

• Name of a keyholder to your home
  
• Name of a neighbor who should be contacted