Who is Pastor Jeremiah?

A friend in ministry, once asked me of a congregation I was serving, “have you ever really told them your story?”
And, I have come to think, I think so, but then, I’ve made that mistake before. I always assume that my life and its story is sort of an open book, which most of the people I know can just pick up and know. I think this might be the age in which I have grown up in, filled with instant access, shocking public exposure, and places, like Facebook, which tell you far too much about just anybody.
Since, we’re in stewardship season now; it seems fitting to offer some of how I have lived these years God has given me. If only, because, I think, if I were you, I might like to know a little more about this guy who came last September.
I suspect, I hope, I figure, most of you will know some of this, but, frankly, I honestly suspect you don’t really know. And, for my new readers, I apologize in advance; I’m not usually this self-focused or self talky.
So.
Into all this expectation: here goes.
I’m a Connecticut Yankee, a grandson, of two old Connecticut dairy farmers. I lived down the road, less than a mile, from my Grandfather Rood, Gampy, as we called him. (No idea)
Our family plowed, hayed, and tended that little plot of land for generations.
Same story on my mother’s side, only, in Washington, CT.
Some farming connection brought my parents together.
I attended a local regional school. Went to UConn.
Moved to New Hampshire after school. Became a reporter. Went to seminary. Searched.
And, moved to the Pioneer Valley.
Ordained in the church I grew up in; where I was baptized; and I suspect where they will hold my funeral.
So, that’s my basic biography.
I suspect you could draw a circle around all the places I’ve ever lived and it wouldn’t be very big. Maybe a few hundred miles?
Not much of interest there, beyond the fun of geography and dates, maybe the “did you know, so and so…”
Not much new there either. I suspect all of you know this sort of information.
I think what interests me, at least at this moment, are the pivots.
The places where things change. Where I was something, or lived somewhere or did something; and then things changed.
To make this a little more Biblical: Mark tells us the Rich Man had been living one way, had an encounter with Jesus, and decided to go back to living the way he did before. Jesus gave him that out: sell your stuff, give it away, and follow me.
And, the guy couldn’t.
These little pivots, big and little, are what make life interesting, right?


Looking back over your own life, what sorts of pivots stand out to you? Leave a comment. Share a story. Touch a life. And, thanks for reading, Pastor J.