Sunday, April 3, 2011

Dear God,

Do you make us part and parcel of one another? Do you place in our DNA the ability to weave others into our lives? Is it possible?

Today my daughter and I returned to East Main Street Christian Church in Elwood for worship and a meal. The last time we were there was 27 years ago when I served as their youth director for 21 months at which time I was invited to serve another church closer to my seminary.

Several people at the dinner told us we had made a difference in their lives and in the life of the church. How could that be, I wondered, in so short a time? A couple of others told us we did not just pass through their church but had become part of the fabric of their lives. Jenni and I knew what they meant because they had touched us so deeply with their love, friendship, care, and grace. They took us in and made us family. My girls and I did the same.

Like a carefully put together photo album, we turned the pages remembering events, happenings, and experiences we shared together. We laughed especially when they brought to our mind the time I went to the church late at night to practice my sermon on the PA system. I was a student and felt the need to rehearse several times to build up my confidence. It was about 2:00 a.m. when I heard someone trying to get into the church. Within minutes the pastor and police came walking down the hall and entered the sanctuary where I stood at the pulpit. "What do you think you're doing?" The pastor asked me. "Just practicing my sermon." I responded. "To the whole community?" He asked. Apparently I had inadvertently flipped on the switch to the outside speaker and I had been preaching to close by residents for over an hour. The proprietor of the local tavern had called the police when one of their patrons who had drunk way too much came running back into the establishment crying, "The rapture's coming, the rapture's coming." Everyone at the dinner remembered the incident and I was once again embarrassed to death. But we laughed and laughed just like we did the first time.

After many hugs and promises to get together before another 27 years passed, we drove away giving thanks for family that surely had woven themselves into our lives at a time we needed family and they needed a silly student who simply loved them.

You are
so generous,
dear God.
You care
about every detail
of our lives.
You give
us opportunity
to tarry
with special people
and then
while we
aren't paying attention
you slip
them permanently
into our beings.
How happy
we are
for your kindness
and agape love.

As always, Andrea