Gold or Green? Appreciate Color

From Rev Sue Ann Yarbrough

Dear Friends, 
I know some of you are experiencing many changes in your communities. May God give you the steadfastness you need to move through any lingering changes and challenges. A friend sent me a quote today that read, "Don't give up before you see the miracle!" That is good advice. Let us all keep going, and come together when we can. May we always celebrate God's love. Because of that love, we are never alone.

Grace and Peace to each of you, your families, and the communities you serve. 

Scripture: Psalm 105:1-4 
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
 make known among the nations what he has done.
 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
 tell of all his wonderful acts.
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Glory in his holy name;
 let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength;
 seek God's face always.

My husband and I live just off of I 580, across from the Dunsmuir Ridge. This time of year the ridge turns gold and the grass will soon yellow as the heat increases. It is quintessential Northern California terrain. I love the tender green of spring, but I find the gold beautiful as well.

This is the time of year when well over 100 goats are brought in to keep the vegetation down. If I stand at my bathroom window and look over my neighbor's roof, I can watch them graze on this part of the ridge. I find them fascinating to watch. The baby goats are full of energy and like most kids everywhere, they love to run, jump, play pranks, and eat. The older female goats keep a watchful eye on them. The males watch over the herd, and the herding dogs keep a wary eye on anything that is not a goat. 

It is a system that has worked for generations. 

What I have noticed over the past couple of days is that there are three primary colors of these goats: white, brown, and black. Yet, few of the goats are a solid color. The three colors combine in a myriad of ways, and while I have not done a scientific study, there does not seem to be a repetition of any pattern. Some closely resemble another, but there always seems to be a difference. Maybe one has black ears, and another white. Perhaps the patterns on the body vary. I can't get close enough to see the eyes, but I suspect they may vary some as well. 

I am reminded God's creation is ongoing, and continues to diversify. That includes humanity. The color of our skin, hair, and eyes vary. Some of us are quite young, others much older. However, like goats always look like goats, humans look like humans. We may move, laugh, sing and cry differently, but we do so in a human way. May we remember that no matter our age, the color of our skin and eyes, God's Spirit is in each one of us. May we always treat one another with the dignity that God's Spirit deserves. We are part of God's good creation.

Prayer
Holy, Eternal Presence, we thank you for this world so full of change and diversity. May we learn to honor your good creation, and to treat all creatures with the dignity they deserve. Help us to tread lightly on this earth. Help us to not fear one another, but to reach out to one another as brothers and sisters. We are all one for we are all your children. May we learn to come together, and befriend one another on this journey through this world. May we use our words not to cause pain, but to create bridges. Help us to come together in love. Amen. 
--
Rev. Sue Ann Yarbrough, Associate Pastor
San Lorenzo Community Church, United Church of Christ
www.slzchurch.org 
www.hearthpsalms.blogspot.com