Family + Community = ‘Ohana - May 20
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
A well-respected pastor of a church I attended decades ago once said, “Retirement is not in the Bible.” Although the statement, not to be taken literally, was directed towards dedicating our lives to service, it has been especially significant to me in recent years.
Last fall, three years after I had left full-time employment, I began to pray about reconnecting with the AAPI community and possibly returning to the workforce. The pandemic reminded me of how the community became extended family after I relocated from my hometown of San Francisco in 1990. Nearly twenty years had passed since I worked formally in elder care with the Japanese American community, and about five years since I attended a predominantly Asian American church. Lord, I think need to go back to work. Is it time?
Just days later, I was surprised by an invitation to apply for a new position with a community-based organization in Little Tokyo. I am now part of a team dedicated to serving underserved communities and one that embraces social justice among its core values.
I remain in awe of how God’s hand has been over my entire life, and how the divine plan unfolds with perfect timing.
Lord, thank you for your love and grace over us. May the cry of our hearts always be, “Not my will, but yours be done.” And as we continue to listen for your voice and watch for your invitations, may our response be, “Here I am, send me!”
Originally from San Francisco, Coleen Nakamura resides in Whittier and attends Whittier Area Community Church. She loves single frame cartoons, cooking and eating, and working with individuals and families affected by Alzheimer's and related dementias.