Shattered … no more – John 21:15-25: Mother's Day. No doubt two of the most troubling, guilt-inducing words we know when combined together. How does one adequately fulfill the calling of being a Mom in today's complex world, filled with unrelenting demands and expectations? On the other hand, how do we who have moms find language and gift to adequately express the depths of gratitude to this one who gives so much and asks for so little in return? While I trust that there will be many wonderful expressions of love and gratitude this weekend - I'm equally certain that there will be other moments of sadness, grief, frustration and disappointment. This weekend and its encounter with the resurrected Christ will focus on what to do with moments of failure and inadequacy. It will highlight the incredible, restorative nature of God's grace to us all. We'll talk about moms but far more than that, we'll consider how God forgives, restores, repurposes and renews all of our lives. We might laugh a little and we might cry a little - but we'll all reflect on how good and kind Jesus is to all of us all the time ... even when we can't fully see it. I realize deeply the complexity of emotions a weekend like this creates for many of us. May we all find a little more of God's gracious purpose and presence in our lives. I look forward to being together with you. -- Pastor Ian