Good morning and happy Saturday. It has been a busy and interesting week. I hope that you are all doing well and are praying for one another.
Last Wednesday, I jumped in the van and headed out to run the route for our evening discipleship. I first went to the Reserve 77. When I stopped at the usual place, I made my way to the door. As I did, Brandon came around the corner. He informed me he couldn’t go to church since his foot hurt. He was wearing one of those boots that they give you at the doctor so it was obvious he had done something. Strangely enough, he was just getting back from the playground, so I am not sure how bad it actually hurt. Next, I saw Timmy. Since it was nice outside, he decided he wanted to stay at the apartment and play outside. Slightly bummed, I jumped back in the van and headed to the Meadows. I had received a text that three of our students wanted rides. I went to the usual spot and looked around. However, none of the kids were in sight, so I got out and went to Madit’s apartment. His mom answered the door and said he wasn’t there. She said he was with “those two boys.” After playing a guessing game for a few minutes, we finally determined where he might be. As I headed back to the van once again, none of the other students were anywhere in sight. I made my way to the third complex, hoping for better results. Finally, the Hill kids said they were going to come. Excited about the prospect of transporting a few kids to church, I waited expectantly in the van. Finally, they began to mosey their way to the van. Unfortunately, one of them got int the van wearing her sister’s shoes. That sister was upset that she didn’t ask permission, so she yanked the shoes right off of her feet. After a few minutes of arguing, the now shoeless sister got back out of the van and went inside to get other shoes. I wasted my breath by giving an impromptu lesson on sharing while we continued to wait. Finally, after a few minutes, another sister got out of the van to see if anyone was ever going to re-emerge from the apartment. Finally, the remainder of the siblings sauntered their way to the van and we were off once again. In the midst of all that, I got a text that one of the students at the second stop was now ready and wanted a ride. Slightly frustrated with the way the route was going, I went to the fourth stop. Guess what? The students were not waiting outside as they were supposed to be. After a little more texting back and forth, Madit finally came out and got in the van. The other two students had decided to go do something else. I went and dropped this group off at the church and went back to pick up a couple more that had decided to go. Thankfully, one was waiting outside and was ready to go. Then I went back to another complex to pick up someone who said they wanted a ride. I knocked on their door only to discover that they have left to go somewhere else. By the time I got to church and parked the van I was thinking that the route was about as fun as watching the presidential debate. But then something unexpected happened. As Trish shared the Bible lesson, I noticed that the kids were truly listening. They asked questions and were engaged in the lesson. Throughout the evening, they were fairly well-behaved, participated in the activities, and learned more about God. I couldn’t help but think how the evening turned out a bit differently than my deteriorating attitude had thought it would. But isn’t that how it usually works? Just when you start thinking things aren’t going to work out, God shows up.
I know that most of us have frustrating days. We often have expectations about the way we want things to go. As you know, it doesn’t always go that way. Sometimes, it is in those times that we see God work in spite of us. Let me encourage you to continue to press forward. Things may not always go smoothly but God continues to work.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Cor. 15:58)
Hope to see you in the morning. May God continue to bless and guide you in all ways.
Love God. Love others. Impact our community. Change the world. Pastor Larry
0 Comments