Today’s devotion begins with a reflection from RLC member Mary Ann Behrens about the connections formed because of being involved at the State Fair.

2022 was my first year with the Military Tribute Choir Concert at the Iowa State Fair. When I signed in at the first rehearsal, I saw the name of “Jim Behrens” on the list. Back at my job at Modern Woodmen of America Insurance in Rock Island, I had processed a death claim on a man with the last name of “Behrens”. When I paid the claim, I wrote back that I shared the same last name, which wasn’t very common. He lived in Urbandale IA. This Jim Behrens in the choir was the son/beneficiary of the deceased whose claim I processed. It IS a small world! We still renew our acquaintance each year at the fair and his granddaughter now sings in the Children’s Choir portion of our concert.

Finally, this year brought an unexpected blessing. While rehearsing before our concert at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on August 16th, I found a seat and asked the lady if she sang soprano. She did so I sat down. I read her name, “Carolyn Knittle”, on her music binder. I struck up a conversation by asking if she was any relation to George Kittle who played for Iowa. No, her name has an “n” in it, she replied. I mentioned that Nile Kinnick was born in Adel and that I graduated from AHS in 1970. She looked at me and said, “I was in the Class of 1970. You’re Mary Ann Jensen!” OMG! Yes, and you’re Carolyn Farrow! She said that all the standing and sitting movements for this concert were bothering her knee. What a coincidence! Her knee surgery was one month before mine. We compared scars - each was on the left knee! Although she lives in Des Moines, she has not been to any reunions that I have attended each August. We exchanged phone numbers and expect both of us to be in the Military Tribute Concert again next year! 

Connections with other people matter. In the flesh connections matter. When we come face-to-face with others, we discover surprising connections. Maybe, like Mary Ann, we discover that the choir member sitting next to us is a high school classmate we haven’t seen in decades– with a matching knee scar to boot! I (Pastor Beth) once ran into a high school classmate in a hotel in Jerusalem. You might have your own story of an unexpected connection or reunion.

These stories remind me that the fruit of the Spirit is a harvest that matters most for other people. Your love, self-control, kindness– they aren’t for you. They are for somebody else. The only way you can share that fruit is by actually interacting with others. Certainly, we could use more peace and patience on the internet and the interstate, but the in-the-flesh moments are when we come face-to-face with the people who need our generosity and joy. At the State Fair or anywhere else, real connections made with openness and curiosity provide opportunities to share the good fruit the Holy Spirit has produced in us.