What came over me?!
Yesterday’s benediction was unconventional to say the least. I was moved during our last song and stepped off to the side. I was compelled to go read the last pages of the book out loud as the benediction, but I couldn’t quite remember what they said. Boldly, hoping that the words I would find would really fit the moment, I opened the book and started reading.
“You do not like them, so you say.
Try them, try them, and you may!”
That’s right. I read from Green Eggs and Ham for our benediction. What came over me? Well, what really came over me was a moment when I was preaching that I wasn’t expecting. I had connected that many people think of “church” like “green eggs and ham.” Either they’ve tried eggs/church before and didn’t have a good experience so they don’t want to try green eggs and ham/a new church. Or green eggs/Bible/Jesus/one hour of worship is so weird, why would they ever try?
So when I said as I was preaching, “We are surrounded by neighbors in our neighborhood, who we work with, that would not, could not try life with God,” I was overcome with tremendous grief. I could not keep preaching.
Now, on Monday morning, I wonder if I could have, should have just paused there and prayed with you all. It felt like God striking my heart with the heart of a Father who loves his kids. That’s lingering today.
What a radical kindness of God to strike me the week before a launch of a vision with his deep love for the people He loves who don’t yet know him.
Vision without love is just a task; duty; resolve.
But vision with love is communion with Christ; worship; joyful anticipation.
We’re stepping into a new year together. Today feels like the real new year, this first Monday in January. But not everything has to be a new resolution. Some things are already in motion that are good, and we’re just leaning in in more intentional ways. We are a church for our neighbors, seeking God’s shalom in our neighborhoods. We see with fresh vision where God is leading us.
We have already set in place a number of ways to try life with God. “Try them, try them! And you may!” You may find joyful life with God, too. You’re invited to step in with us this week:
Preschool during Sunday worship
Youth Alpha (middle and high school)
Young Adult dinners
Sunday’s Launch of a Two-Year vision (coming January 11, 2026)
I love who we are becoming at Kitsap House. I am so excited to launch a season of vision full of God’s love for Jesus, for our community, and for our neighbors.
Thank you for staying connected with Kitsap House. As you come to the end of this blog, would you please take a moment to pray for us? May we all know God’s love more deeply and experience the presence of Christ today and always.
Pastor Megan
