Fill… Spill… Thrill…

Lisa Kramme
Director of Faith Formation
Nebraska Synod, ELCA

It must have been at least 15 years ago now. Some people have hobbies like scrapbooking or playing the guitar. My hobby was, and still is, telling the stories of Hans Christian Andersen to anyone who cares to listen. A women’s group at First Lutheran in Omaha invited to share these stories at a salad luncheon. While there, they gave me a young plant as a thank you gift.

What were they thinking? Obviously, they didn’t notice that neither of my thumbs were even close to green. But I took the plant, thanked the ladies, and went home wondering just how long it would survive.

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Lisa Kramme
Director of Faith Formation
Nebraska Synod, ELCA

It’s another busy week. (Aren’t they all?) And although it can be a budget-buster, we’ll probably go out to grab a quick bite to eat tonight before our kids’ evening activities begin. Sometimes running into a fast food spot seems like a real necessity, but here’s what I’ve found—eating quickly at various restaurants around town may FILL ME UP, but a meal at home with my family around our table is where I get FED.

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Lisa Kramme
Director of Faith Formation
Nebraska Synod, ELCA

Can you see yourself in either of these scenarios?

A high school youth regularly helps with Vacation Bible School. You comment to the young man, “I can see you as an elementary teacher someday!”

A stay-at-home mom capably assists your congregation’s bookkeeper with recording income and expenses. You share with her, “If you ever consider working outside the home, I think you really have the gifts to be an accountant!”

In my opinion, people are usually very good at suggesting career paths to others as we see them exhibit their God-given skills, but here’s what I wonder—do we intentionally point out to others the gifts we see in them for the rostered ministry? I am not so sure that, even within the Church, people with gifts for ministry hear from trusted friends and mentors often enough.

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