Anthony Washington started it for me...God is good...all the time. All the time...God is good. Those words take on special meaning for me as I struggle with several aspects of life and ministry. They aren't just words to be repeated by a congregation or a trite saying to make us feel better. They are words that help me to remember, particularly when life isn't so grand, the fact that God continues to take care of me, to carry me, to give me unconditional love and accept me because I am His child.
The reminder of God's goodness has come to me in several ways over the past couple of weeks. It came in a ministry couples retreat Sue and I got to be part of in the Texas Hill Country. There we connected with others engaged in ministry and shared our heart for the most amazing work on earth. But we also shared our sorrows and struggles in that same work. We made connections that sometimes are never made. We were guided by 4 amazing couples who love God more than anything else and at least acted like they loved us almost as much.
It came in the form of service to my 91 year old father who is now anticipating his eternal reward. Even though he is obviously dying, he is still gracious enough to give God thanks every day for the life he's been given, the family he has and the "good health" to enjoy it all.
It came in the eyes of a dear friend who said "I do" to the man of her dreams and danced all the way down the aisle after the ceremony. And it came in the hugs and conversation with dear friends who have never judged us by our mistakes but have loved us because we are family.
Yes...GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!! It's a saying worth repeating often.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
WOW!!!
What a month April was. A quick trip to Waco to see my parents, a first meeting with my two newest grandchildren, a wild ride in the leadership arena of a local congregation and a longer visit with my newest grandchild all added up to a rather interesting month. May will be just about the same as my son and daughter-in-law bring their 5 month old son to visit around Mother's Day, I'll spend some time in central Texas in a Ministry Couples Sabbatical, a few more days with my parents and a wedding for a very special young lady.
All of that activity is a constant reminder that God has some pretty amazing things in store if we'll let Him show them to us. Holding those grandchildren makes the troubling issues of life melt away! How did God know that those precious little boys and girls would heal the wounds of heartache and struggle? The fact is...there is no better therapy for me than to watch as these brand new people learn about the world they've been brought in to. There are days that you can almost watch them change before your very eyes.
Weddings are another arena of life that I've found to be mostly enjoyable. While I would prefer NOT to be the one officiating I do get a thrill as I hear a man and a woman publicly promise their faithfulness and proclaim their love for one another. At the moment they are pronounced "husband and wife" a new family is created. When it is blessed by the God of heaven it is a union that is sealed by the Creator and destined to be a place full of peace, understanding and love as they work together in their God made home.
Even though I am challenged by the impending death of my father I am still able to find blessing in the sunset of life. After 91 years of living he has total trust in the Lord of lords. I can still hear his words of encouragement ringing in my ears. Words that taught me total respect for God and His creation. Words that helped me to understand the need for a Savior. Words that corrected my missteps, proved his love and nurtured so many people. The blessing of and responsability for a godly family rested squarely at his feet and he rose far above the challenge. Sometimes he was mistreated. At least three times he fought off cancer. But ultimately he proved by the way he loved that God was the focus of his life.
As a leadership crisis continues to brew in the congregation I serve I find myself challenged to remain above the fray. It's so easy to get caught up in the petty bickering, far too often looking at the flaws of those God has ordained to be leaders. I've found great blessing in working to help those leaders rise to the occassion, to confess their faults, consult God and move beyond the divisive voices. Frankly, I don't know if that will succeed. But I can rest well each night knowing that I've done all I could to help them help themselves.
Through all of this I am learning a new trust in my Savior. I'm hearing all over again His call to carry His yoke and burden instead of trying to take it all on myself. I'm learning what it means to "be still and know" that He is God. I'm also getting to see the good in those who previously I've counted as roadblocks to growth.
Lord, help me to see the blessings of each moment as you lay them in front of me. Help me to be a servant in the mold of the greatest Servant of all! Amen.
All of that activity is a constant reminder that God has some pretty amazing things in store if we'll let Him show them to us. Holding those grandchildren makes the troubling issues of life melt away! How did God know that those precious little boys and girls would heal the wounds of heartache and struggle? The fact is...there is no better therapy for me than to watch as these brand new people learn about the world they've been brought in to. There are days that you can almost watch them change before your very eyes.
Weddings are another arena of life that I've found to be mostly enjoyable. While I would prefer NOT to be the one officiating I do get a thrill as I hear a man and a woman publicly promise their faithfulness and proclaim their love for one another. At the moment they are pronounced "husband and wife" a new family is created. When it is blessed by the God of heaven it is a union that is sealed by the Creator and destined to be a place full of peace, understanding and love as they work together in their God made home.
Even though I am challenged by the impending death of my father I am still able to find blessing in the sunset of life. After 91 years of living he has total trust in the Lord of lords. I can still hear his words of encouragement ringing in my ears. Words that taught me total respect for God and His creation. Words that helped me to understand the need for a Savior. Words that corrected my missteps, proved his love and nurtured so many people. The blessing of and responsability for a godly family rested squarely at his feet and he rose far above the challenge. Sometimes he was mistreated. At least three times he fought off cancer. But ultimately he proved by the way he loved that God was the focus of his life.
As a leadership crisis continues to brew in the congregation I serve I find myself challenged to remain above the fray. It's so easy to get caught up in the petty bickering, far too often looking at the flaws of those God has ordained to be leaders. I've found great blessing in working to help those leaders rise to the occassion, to confess their faults, consult God and move beyond the divisive voices. Frankly, I don't know if that will succeed. But I can rest well each night knowing that I've done all I could to help them help themselves.
Through all of this I am learning a new trust in my Savior. I'm hearing all over again His call to carry His yoke and burden instead of trying to take it all on myself. I'm learning what it means to "be still and know" that He is God. I'm also getting to see the good in those who previously I've counted as roadblocks to growth.
Lord, help me to see the blessings of each moment as you lay them in front of me. Help me to be a servant in the mold of the greatest Servant of all! Amen.
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