Jordan Memorial UMC

Parables of the Peanuts: Why We Never Outgrow a Good Story

A note from the pastor

Confession time: I own a Snoopy mug. Okay, more than one. And I know I'm not alone; I would dare say that many of us have some sort of Peanuts memorabilia somewhere in our house, either as a mug, a calendar, a Christmas ornament, or any other host of items. What is it about these beloved characters that draw us to them over and over again?

Every autumn, something familiar happens in living rooms across the country. The leaves turn, the air cools, and we settle onto the couch to watch Charlie Brown wait in a pumpkin patch for a Great Pumpkin who never shows up. We know how it ends. We know Lucy will pull the football away. We know that scrawny little Christmas tree will get its moment. And still we cheer, we groan, and we come back next year as if it were brand new. So, what is it about a round-headed kid and a beagle who thinks he's a World War I flying ace?

I think it's because they are us. Charlie Brown is every one of us who has tried, failed, and tried again. Lucy is the friend (or, if we're honest, sometimes the person in the mirror) who is very sure she knows best. Linus clings to what comforts him. Schroeder pours his heart into his piano for an audience of one. And Snoopy reminds us that a little imagination can turn a doghouse into an adventure. None of them are heroes or villains. They are hopeful, anxious, stubborn, tender, and often a little bit lost. Charles Schulz never lectured us about the human condition. He simply told stories that let us see ourselves, and we recognized the truth in them.

That, of course, is exactly what Jesus did. When Jesus wanted people to understand God's love, he didn't hand the crowds a theological textbook. He told them about a shepherd who won't rest until one lost sheep is found, a woman turning her house upside down for a single coin, and a father who runs down the road to welcome home a wayward son. He talked about seeds and soil, bread and yeast, fishing nets and wedding feasts. These were the things his listeners knew from their own daily lives. Jesus met people where they were, and through those stories, truth slipped past their defenses and settled into their hearts. More than once, I imagine, someone in the crowd elbowed a neighbor and whispered, "Hey, that sounds like me."

This month we begin a new sermon series, Parables of the Peanuts. Together we'll spend time with Charlie Brown and the gang and discover how their modern-day parables echo the lessons Jesus taught: forgiveness and second chances, real friendship, the weight of worry, the ache and gift of belonging, inclusion, waiting, faith and hope that keeps showing up even when the football disappears once again. Expect laughter, a little nostalgia, and perhaps a few surprises along the way. Wearing your favorite Snoopy gear is strongly encouraged as well as sharing your favorite memorabilia!

This series also fits beautifully with something bigger we are celebrating. As we have announced, over the next year our church is focusing on our children and youth. Kids understand stories better than anyone, and every Sunday our wonderful volunteers gather with them to teach, laugh, and share the good news of Jesus. Week after week, they are planting seeds that will grow for a lifetime, and they are the real MVPs of this church. If you see one in the hallway, please take a moment to say thank you. And if you've ever wondered, "Could I do that?", we would love to talk with you. No experience is needed, just a big heart and maybe a good sense of humor.

There is something else our children teach us, too. They aren't embarrassed to love a story they've heard a hundred times. They lean in, they ask questions, and they see themselves in the characters without any fuss. Perhaps that is part of what Jesus meant when he said the kingdom belongs to those who receive it like a child. This season let's practice listening the way they do. You are invited over the next few months to be a child again and get lost in the story. Because in the end, we never really outgrow a good story. See you Sunday!

Pastor Chris