I love being called "momma". I even love that we can shorten the spelling so that my 3-year-old can spell it now.
M-A-M-A. I know there will likely be a day when the boys start calling me "mom", but for now there is something tender and precious about the name, "Mama". I can always tell what's going on based on the tone of their call for me, too. If it's high-pitched, someone is likely taking a toy from the other. If it's a low and growly yell, they're playing football. If it's a big wail, they just need their mama. The calls for Mama are endless.
Names have such a significant impact, don't they? Whether it's our birthname, a nickname, or a description of who we are, there is great power in a name. There is even power in the association of a name- both the good and the bad.
Jesus, my shepherd and my friend. The Holy Spirit, my helper. God, my Father, my Mother, loving parent, the Alpha and Omega, beginning and end. For me, "helper", "friend", and "good parent", are all associations and names of God that I have gotten from scripture, but also have experienced in getting to know each of those parts of God. I feel each of those parts of God when I rejoice, when I cry out for God, and when I listen. And what is so, so beautiful is that God gives us names right back. Names like "my child", "friend", "redeemed", and "beloved". And in the same way we know our kids' needs by the tone of their call for us, God knows us by the sound of our call for God. Better, in fact, because God knows our needs before we even do. What a loving God.
This Sunday is a special one. Pastor Tim is passing the torch to Pastor Mark as the lead pastor of Washington Cathedral and starting his new role as senior executive pastor. Pastor Mark will preach from Genesis 21 when God gives Sarah and Abraham their miracle baby, Isaac.
God has been walking with Washington Cathedral since its first days and is walking with us now into this new chapter. Come rejoice in what God is doing in our community with us, and worship Emmanuel, "God With us".
See you this Sunday at 10:30am in-person or online.
Peace be with you church,
Chelsea Maitland
worship leader