A Taking Milestones Ministry Home Story from Robin Souhrada

Bethlehem Lutheran in Cedar Falls, IA has a ministry of Blessings and Milestones that helps us mark life transitions, important parts of our daily lives and recognize the presence of God in our lives. Some of our members have their own blessing bowl and milestone pebbles set at home. Jennifer Holden has hers out on a coffee table as a daily reminder of the blessings in her life.

One day her friend Desiree was visiting. She and Jenn looked at the blessing bowl and milestone pebbles. Desiree wanted to make her own milestone blessing pebbles to take home. So she set out painting her own set. Jenn got the paint. Desiree collected rocks to use as her pebbles. Desiree started all on her own and painted three of them before Jenn got her milestone mat and set to use as a guide.

This is a beautiful story of God working in and through our lives, sometimes when we least expect it. It also fits the Four Key faith practices that are at the heart of Milestones Ministry. Together Jenn and Desiree were able to have a caring conversation about life and faith. They rejoiced in the blessings in their lives. As an act of service, Jenn used this special moment to help Desiree create a tool to recognize the presence of God in daily life. Celebrating our milestones can become a meaningful ritual and tradition.

Five principles key to Milestones Ministry also were a part of this story. 1. Faith is formed by the power of the Holy Spirit through personal trusted relationships often in our own homes. 2. The church is a living partnership between the ministry of the congregation and ministry of the home. 3. Where Christ is present in faith, the home is church, too. 4. Faith is caught more than it is taught. 5. If we want Christian children and youth, we need Christian adults.

Thank you, Jenn, for sharing your precious story so that others may recognize and share their stories of faith.

Robin Souhrada is the Director of Faith Formation at Bethlehem Lutheran.