It was a moving act of worship on Sunday, All Saints Day. People chose to come forward to light votive candles in memory of those who have inspired and helped shape their lives. I thought of my parents, mother-in-law, grandmother, two teachers and two mentors, all of whom have tried to “tame this wild beast” along the way. Each one of them shared powerful, positive lessons by the way that they lived.

Generous-hearted living is like a jewel with many facets. It embraces everything from how a person nurtures caring relationships to his or her fruitful use of time, involvement and advocacy. I’m filled with gratitude when I think about the God-trusting people who have come before us.

They remind me of this passage from Psalm 102: “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to G_d;^** and all the families of the nations shall worship before God. For dominion belongs to G_d, and God rules over the nations.” May we live as such saints for those who will come after us!

Your partner in ministry,

Betsy Schwarzentraub

^** – This term is a substitute for the personal name God gave to Moses, which literally means “He who begets or gives birth to all that is becoming or alive” (so biblical Hebrew linguist Frank Cross). Our Jewish sisters and brothers do not write or pronounce the name, to honor God.