The other day, while driving down Watson Road in the county, I was delayed by ongoing road construction. It was frustrating, especially since I was already running late for a meeting. On top of that, my own neighborhood is undergoing a major sewer infrastructure upgrade, which has made daytime access to driveways nearly impossible. My initial reaction was one of irritation and impatience. I found myself thinking, “Why is this taking so long? Can’t they just finish paving so we can get on with our lives?”

But then I realized I was viewing these disruptions through the wrong lens. In our daily routines, we often focus only on what’s visible - the surface of things. Yet what we see isn’t the whole story. If roads were simply repaved without addressing the aging pipes and drains beneath, they’d soon crumble again. The same is true of our faith. Sometimes, we need to pause and strengthen the foundation - repair what lies beneath, so that what’s built on top can endure.

As we celebrate Gethsemane’s 132nd year, our 2026 Stewardship Campaign A Future with Hope: Paving the Way with Faith, invites us to reflect on the journey we share, a journey toward Jesus that may be marked by bumps and potholes. Yet through faith, we find the strength to smooth the road ahead, laying down a path filled with God’s grace.

This Sunday, during our Mission Moment, I’ll share my personal walk of faith and the deep gratitude I feel for the many gifts God has provided. Together, let’s continue paving a future with hope, one faithful step at a time.