See You Next Time

February 8, 2023

By Jo Wiersema

Midweek Musings is a weekly Covenant blog with a variety of authors and a variety of topics.

I go to Kwik Trip twice a week. On Sunday Mornings before church, and on Monday Mornings before I make my weekly drive to Dubuque for class. If you don't spend money each week at Kwik Trip, you might not know their signature phrase:

Kwik Trip employees usually work the same shift every week, so I know Troy, Bud, and Jan who all work during the times that I come in. I know about their families, and I make sure they get Christmas Cards each holiday season.

They know about Covenant, what our Christmas Pageant was about, when I'm preaching, and the little pieces of small talk that come up when you see people week after week for years.

In a relationship that might otherwise seem transactional, I find immense joy and value in my 2-5 minutes at Kwik Trip twice a week.

Sunday Mornings at church can feel transactional. I make sure children get back with the right grown-ups, someone asks me about the Midweek Musings, and I small talk with a dozen people each Sunday.

But week after week, for a year, I've come to know you through the small talk and the not so small talk.

We, as children of God, are fully known by God. We are also fully known by the people of God. The people who open their ears, minds, and hearts to us.

Being known by a community who knows me as I am, loves me as I am, is an eternal reminder that the Kingdom is right here. It’s right here in this church, in these people, in the park, the bar, and out in the world. The kingdom of God is full of the people of God. Amid our complex pain and broken world, God is still here. God doesn’t wait for us to be perfect before They offer us salvation, because we have a Savoir in Jesus who died for all this. For all this mess and broken catastrophe, our place on Earth is that which is already the Kingdom of God.

I say all of this because

by golly, I'm so grateful.

I'm grateful for the hugs,

the notes of appreciation,

I've said it repeatedly - I’m grateful for you sharing your kids with me.

Covenant wouldn't wouldn’t be the church it is without the beautiful people who fill it. I’m blessed to call myself part of this flock.

So, this is all to say, it’s not goodbye.

It’s not even “see you later”.

It’s “see you next time”.

Because there will be a next time.

Wherever you go, the Holy Spirit is with you.

The Triune God of the whole world is yours.

Don’t you ever forget it.

Jo