FROM THE EDITOR

IN THE SHEPHERD’S ARMS

This issue of Connections is filled with longing and suffering, but also hope and perseverence. Our contributors point us to the challenge of ministering to the deaf, living through the devastation of a decimated Ukraine as home, the nostalgia of the Sandwich Fair and more.

Perseverance is sometimes amazing to consider. Somehow, I did not know until a month ago that Claude Monet went blind but continued to paint. It began at the time when he was becoming popular, even famous, as a painter. Monet reportedly painted the celebrated water lilies series when he could barely see. He continued to paint for as long as he could. John Milton also lost his sight and penned the poem “On His Blindness” and other works. Depending on who you believe, Beethoven began to lose his hearing either in his 20s or early 30s. He wrote some of the most amazing music ever and continued to not only compose, but also perform for a time, doing his best to keep his condition secret.

Beyond the physical, there is also the contrast of facing the emptiness of life without faith in Jesus or facing sorrow and grief with the companions and friends of a Bible study group here at College Church. Many times, people help us unknowingly. I can think of times when a person does something or says something that is just what I need. This kind of thing happens often, and we have only to act in the littlest way. God uses even us. I am reminded of the Charles Spurgeon quote, “God helps those who cannot help themselves.”

So read this issue and consider the God who is at work in and among us. He is marvelous because of how he walks through so many different difficult things with us.

All the while, Kathryn McBride, our creative designer, was discovering Scotland and agreed to share some of what she experienced on the cover and in this month’s Artist Spotlight. Thank you for taking us to another part of the world through your photography!

WIL TRIGGS