A Grateful Heart by Pastor Melinda Sparks-Renner
“Thou hast given so much to me, give one thing more, a grateful heart.” George Herbert
On the maternal side of my family, I was the first grandchild. My mom was only 19 when she birthed me, and her mother was not yet 50 when I announced my presence to the world, bootie first ( I was breached :)) Being the first grandbaby in the family was amazing, and I have always relished my role.
My first Thanksgiving as a married person is memorable because as I was preparing to go to my grandmother Hellums’ house, I never thought, “What should I bring?” You all know that I am not much of a cook, and I certainly wasn’t then - besides, my mom will bring food on behalf of our family - so no biggie.
I walk in the door, and my Aunt Jackie (mom’s youngest sister) walks straight up to me, looks at my hands, and asks, “You didn’t bring anything for Thanksgiving????” Realizing that I must be in some sort of trouble now, sheepishly replied, “No…?” I was then informed that as a married person, I am responsible for bringing something to family gatherings. And always will until the day that I die.
This Thanksgiving, I just wanted to tell you, Imago, how grateful I am for you. I am inspired and challenged and motivated constantly by you - I see how you love one another, your families, your neighbors, the “least of these,” and you are so precious to me.
I am also grateful for the many ways that you contribute to the work of Imago Dei! We have an incredible group of volunteers who give selflessly and tirelessly, and I am so thankful for you.
You serve and love our children, our youth, our unsheltered friends, our LGBTQIIA+ friends, our marginalized friends, and our overlooked and forgotten friends. Thank you so much for the way you love.
I also would like to say “thank you” for your financial generosity over the years at Imago. Covid hit most churches hard, and donations are down in every church that I personally know. We are all making adjustments, cutting spending, and putting off things that can wait.
Because of your faithfulness and generosity over the past year, we have been able to help people buy groceries, pay utilities, and help with medical bills and procedures. Our friends at JOLT and LULA have told me that the underprivileged and unrepresented community in Peoria knows who we are and that we will help however we can.
My friends, our reputation in our community is one of kindness, sanctuary, love, and acceptance of all. That is only because of your generosity and consistency in being a friend to all people.
Because of your faithfulness and generosity, we have been able to provide a space for LULA to store hot hands, gloves, tents, sleeping bags, clean undergarments, emergency food packs, and water. They use all of these items and more to care for those without shelter.
Because of your faithfulness and generosity, we have provided a safe haven for PFLAG and Q Collective, which gives parents and their teens a place to learn from one another, laugh together, and become friends - without fear of being harmed.
Because of your faithfulness and generosity, Peoria Proud has asked to use our space for their LGBTQ+ Annual Holiday Potluck in December, and Central Illinois Friends will be there with their mobile testing unit to provide free and confidential STD/STI and HIV testing. YOU have made this possible!!
Imago’s capacity to give back to our community in all the beautiful ways that we do is not possible without your generosity. And I am so grateful.
But facts are funny things, and we can’t get away from them. We are struggling financially right now; as I said earlier, we are not unique in this situation we find ourselves in, but that is just a fact.
As has been stated before, we are able to cover two staff salaries and the mortgage. Our capacity for benevolence, missions, pastoral care, and even the light bill is nonexistent.
I wish that I could make 2+2=6, but I can’t - however, God is really good at magical arithmetic, and I am trusting in God to come through, as I know that you are praying and trusting as well. God always makes a way, and God will this time too.
I encourage all of us to pray about our giving to Imago. Maybe we can pitch in a little more, maybe we can start with a little, but that is a beautiful way to start!
Your generosity is not something that I take for granted. And I promise never to guilt you nor shame you into giving. A lot of us have lived through that type of religious manipulation, and it is a stench in God’s nostrils and mine, too.
But the truth is, without your generosity, even your sacrificial generosity, there is no Imago.
Giving of our time, talents, and, yes, even our money is a spiritual practice that allows God to work in ways that are integral to the mission of Imago.
Our very first directive is: Everything is Spiritual: We believe that all of life — food, friends, work, money, pleasure, sleep — is spiritual. We do not fragment our lives; we live with a growing understanding that everything we do relates to God.
So my question for you, just like my Aunt Jackie, is, “What are you bringing to contribute to the work of Imago?” Maybe you can only bring the ice. That is still beautiful. Maybe you can bring the turkey. That is beautiful. Maybe this is the season that all you can bring is yourself. That is beautiful, too.
You are loved.
With a grateful heart,
Pastor Melinda