I’m tired of being the 20 percent that do 80 percent of the work. I’m tired of fund-raisers and sponsorships and raffle prizes and tournaments and bake sales and writing lessons for kids who don’t show up and of pro athletes and Hollywood stars who think I care about their opinions and of politicians who lack integrity, honesty, and character.


I’m tired of Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter. I’m tired of checking email, responding to email, and forwarding email.


First Presbyterian Church members are living God’s love in all kinds of ways. One of them is Jen Staib, who has been active as an elder, church school teacher, refugee tutor, mission leader, Pastor Nominating Committee member, and in many other church leadership positions. Here are her thoughts, in her own words.


Do you remember the days when you came home from school, put on play clothes, and ran outside to play with the neighbors?


Do you remember the days when your job didn’t require a passport? Do you remember looking forward to talking to an old long-distance friend after 7 p.m. for a quality conversation instead of a 25-word text to “check in”? Do you remember the days when “the mail” referred to envelopes delivered to your house?


Do you remember when a phone was a phone and a camera was a camera? Do you remember sitting down to eat and watching the news afterward while the kids did homework? Do you remember attending church on Sunday as a family?


All of that seems like a lifetime ago.


TBH (to be honest), this is going to sound like the rantings of an unstable adult. Well, I’m just preparing you. I’m tired.


I’m tired of labels. I’m straight, gay, bisexual, transgendered, female, male, not-quite-sure, White, Black, Latino, Asian, Native American, Other, married, divorced, single, conservative, liberal, immigrant, illegal alien, refugee, terrorist, Nazi, white supremacist, rioter, protestor, patriot, Muslim, Christian, Jew, vegan, vegetarian, American, anti- American… Really?


Our society embraces labels because it unites groups. Lots of little groups. We celebrate the diversity of lots of little groups. How is it that “Child of God” fails to make the top 10?


I’m pretty sure Jesus is shaking His head in disappointment. He loves us. Always has and always will. How can we keep letting Him down? His lesson to us was pure and it was simple: Live God’s love each day. No more, no less.


I’m far from perfect, and I recognize that I come up short quite often and in many ways. But God’s love and grace are greater than anything we can know or understand. God’s love has led me to be a member of this community of believers who strive to share that love with others.


Tis community welcomed me 12 years ago, invited me to participate in children’s ministry, youth ministry, refugee ministry, and a host of other opportunities that nourished my spiritual journey. I am rooted


in this church, and I am rooted in Christ.


When I look in the mirror, I try to imagine how Jesus sees me. I am loved, this I know… but am I following the path He wants for me? Have I shown His love to the people I meet?


Close your eyes. Let go of your to-do list. Let go of the media voices in your head. Let go of the pressures from our society. Te world can only change for the better if we each take steps to show God’s love.


Breathe and ask yourself: Is Jesus proud of me? 4


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