Basking in the Blessings

Heard a great story at Hope Group tonight. Seems there was this national movement to install golden phones in churches all across America. These gleaming telephones could dial directly to the throneroom of heaven and be answered by God himself. But using these phones came at a price. In fact, the cost was astronomical. Still, people lined up and paid thousands of dollars per minutes for a one-on-one phone conversation with the Creator. Then someone noticed that these same phones were installed in churches throughout Virginia, but the cost was only a few cents per minute. When one reporter inquired why the cost was so low in our state, the answer was simple: Heaven is a local call from Virginia.

Ah, it's so true.

It's been a busy week -- but a good kind of busy. Last week was all about the kids' week at drama camp (Godspell was incredible! What an amazing experience! And both Margo and I wept softly during the very tender and beautiful crucifixion scene. Well done, guys!). This week, in our spare time, we've been unpacking boxes and figuring out where things go. I managed to get the entertainment center all set up, though we're now having problems with the satellite receiver (which will necessitate the fourth visit from the installer, but talking about that growing nightmare just makes me irritable so I'll move on...). I came home tonight to discover Margo spent the day clearing out the garage so we could park our cars inside! Yay! And there are pictures and nicknacks finding their way out of their cardboard containers, so it's really beginning to look like home.

I was particularly excited by the delivery of our new garden tractor. Mowing the lawn is now a little bit like driving those little cars around Disneyland, except noisier and without that annoying bar keeping you on the road. Oh, sure, I underestimated the steepness of the hill on one side of the house and I need to figure out a way to get that strip mowed safely. But, for the most part, mowing is kind of fun now. Beth even asked if she could take a turn! Wheee!

We're half way through our four "church chats" this week, and I've been really impressed by the stuff people are sharing. What incredible insight! God is stirring in our midst in some great ways, and I look forward to seeing what happens in us and through us in the coming months. I know I sound a bit repetitive when I say it, but I am really loving the folks of Hope! What a terrific church family! It's an honor to be the shepherd of this gathering of God's people, and it's an even greater honor to be shown such incredible love. Thank you!

I was also delighted to hear that Compass has finally found their new Pastor, and that they had a unanimous vote. Way to go! Tim is a great visionary guy, and he'll be wonderful at leading that church into a new season of fresh growth. I pray almost every day for Compass (for the church as a whole and for many specific people), and I hope that God will unleash his Spirit there in ways that far exceed everyone's wildest imagination. I'm convinced that the Lord has a very special role for that church in building his kingdom, and it was an honor for our entire family to share a decade of our lives with them.

On my drive home from Hope Group tonight, I found myself reflecting on the vast scope of God's blessings. Everywhere I looked I saw an abundance of growth. It's all so green... so alive... so wondrous and complicated and beautiful and ever-changing. Our lives are like that, too. Especially these days. I rejoice in the overflowing of God's love in so many tangible ways -- a new church family, a new home, a new beginning, a new adventure, new friends, new challenges, new opportunities for our kids. And the list just goes on and on and on. I realize that there are plenty of seasons in every life where the road gets rough and we feel weary, so this abundance of tangible grace will ebb and flow as well. But, for now, I'm going to dance in the joy of my Father's provision and kindness, and wrap my arms around his people, and laugh and sing and just bask in the blessings.