I’m retrofitted!

I work on the 6th floor of a medical building that’s been retrofitted for earthquake safety. When an earthquake hits, our building sways for what feels like forever—sometimes it’s exciting, sometimes it’s terrifying. And while I trust the retrofitting will keep us safe, there’s always a part of me that wonders, “How can we be certain?”

My family and I began worshiping at BPC in 1996. Over the years, we’ve served, cooked, hammered, sawed, packed food, sang, cried, prayed, and worshiped alongside our BPC family. There’s been joy, sorrow, and doubt. I’ve had moments when I wasn’t sure if we should pledge because money was tight. Even now, as Bruce and I prepare for retirement, I still worry. Have we saved enough? Will we be okay? Like many, I’m chasing the impossible dream of complete certainty.

In Wholehearted Faith, Rachel Held Evans encourages us to embrace uncertainty. That’s a tough ask sometimes, especially when I’m juggling bills and expenses, wondering if we’ll be provided for. But through it all, this church family has been my firm foundation. Year after year, my faith gets “retrofitted” for whatever comes next. I’ll never have absolute certainty that we’ll always have enough. But what I do know is this: I’ve seen what our BPC community can do.

I’ve seen families find homes, people fed, and victims of abuse find safety, all because of the time, talent, and resources this church has poured into the world. We’ve changed lives. And that gives me the confidence to keep giving, even when I’m unsure.

I may never find the certainty I crave about our finances, but with the love and support of this church family, I’m committed to embracing that uncertainty. I’ll keep pledging, and each year, I’ll do my best to increase that pledge. BPC has given so much to my family and our community, and I’m deeply grateful for the chance to give back.

We are new to the BPC community, and we are amazed to see the way in which this church gives back — whether to our immediate community, or through outreach efforts across the world. when it comes to stewardship, we believe that resources come in many forms including time and energy, community involvement, and financial support. As members at BPC, we strive to be involved in all three of these.

Becoming parents has been an exciting adventure for us, and we feel BPC is becoming a comfortable place for our children to thrive. Kip and Charlie are making connections in  the house of God, and we look forward to their journey of faith here. For us, being stewards at BPC is like building a strong foundation for our children. We want them to experience the gifts of God, but also learn to give of themselves to support the community; to become faithful stewards themselves. We want to  model this behavior for our children, and continue to expose them to this beautiful BPC community of people who offer their time and resources similarly.

It has been a blessing seeing our children partake in many of the events at BPC. We also feel so welcome here, and our children do, too. From the Easter Egg Hunt to VBS, and every Sunday they get to spend here, we are grateful for the services sand events provided for our family. We have also enjoyed giving back to BPC — Sam’s time spent on the finance committee, and both of us helping to host a Summer Social have been great ways for us to give back, bringing us joy.

BPC makes giving easy. We are appreciative of the opportunities that are presented to us each Sunday; to be given a clear path for making a difference  is a blessing in itself in a time where we are often flooded with ways to give, and not knowing whether or not our donations will make it to someone truly in need.  Though various forms, our offerings take flight, through vetted channels, serving others in the name of God.

Being a member of Brentwood Presbyterian Church for more than 23 years, I am grateful to be a part of this church family and to have found this community. BPC reminds me how to give joyfully when I realized I was the one who was really receiving; to serve when I thought I was too tired or busy, and in turn exhilarated and uplifted for the experience beyond words. To hear faith sharing from those who are grateful for the generous giving from BPC in our community and worldwide, often leaves me speechless and in tears, and always wanting to do more. Wells dug for clean water where there were none before. Schoolrooms built so that children can gather safely and learn. Food when shelves in our local neighborhood cupboards are empty. Backpacks filled with comfort and simple necessities of life. Clothes and socks and blankets for cold nights and hard days.

A few years ago one of the members of the Mustard Seed Group I am in, Donna Arakawa, shared a favorite poem of hers at one of our meetings when we were discussing ‘gratefulness and thanks’, which still resonates with me strongly.  Let me offer you a few lines of ‘Drinking From My Saucer’, by John Paul Moore –

            …“I thank God for his blessings,
            and the mercies He’s bestowed.
            I’m drinking from my saucer,
            ’cause my cup has overflowed.

            …If God gives me strength and courage,
            when the way grows steep and rough.
            I’ll not ask for other blessings,
            I’m already blessed enough.

            And may I never be too busy,
            to help others bear their loads.
            Then I’ll keep drinking from my saucer,
            ‘Cause my cup has overflowed.”

Those words she shared are just a small part a simple poem, but they send a powerful, powerful message.   Don’t we all have times when our cup seems empty, hollow, needing sustenance?  And gratefully, aren’t there times when our blessings feel so bountiful and beyond, that giving generously is a way to give thanks for all we have – truly overflowing blessings.

My husband and I give to BPC for so many reasons, as a way to show our grateful thanks for all the overflowing blessings in our lives and within this church community – friends, family, a deeper exploration of our faith, and an opportunity to serve and to share our hands and our hearts with others and for others.

I first heard about the idea of the tithe many years ago, when I was in my early twenties, just out of college and barely covering my bills. The idea of giving 10% of the meager amount I earned to the church seemed impossible, but I was challenged by the Bible class leader to give it a try for a while and see what happened. The premise was that everything I have already belongs to God and is graciously given to me. Giving back that 10% was a sign of faith, that I trusted in my Creator’s plan to meet my needs with the remaining 90% of my income.

So I took a deep breath and started writing the monthly checks. Throughout my over 50 years of faith, I have been on the other end of places to stay when I needed them, gently used clothing, various pieces of furniture, cars given to my kids from unlikely sources, college scholarships and financial aid, money from various directions that brought the miracle of home ownership while pregnant with my third child and unable to work, and even a grand piano I never dreamed I would own from someone at this very church who allowed me to buy it over time at a very low price.

Anything I have ever needed and more has always been there for me. Is it because I took the plunge and decided to trust in God’s sustenance for me? I cannot say for sure that there is a correlation. What I do know is that giving away those dollars each month became a way I could show my gratitude to all of those who give their hearts and souls in service to our congregation. It became a way to support and offer hope to others in states of need far deeper than I will ever experience, the way it was done for me. It gave me the freedom to fearlessly offer what I had, knowing my God is one of abundance and would always take care of me too. 

If you have had this experience in your own life, I would love to hear your story. If my story gives you the nudge to try doing this yourself, I would love to hear what happens to you. My experience is that we give a little, and God pours out lavishly both provision and love.