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Today at staff meeting I shared how I have been running into persons from the church at various places throughout the area. To my surprise I was not the only one that encountered members and friends at restaurants, stores, and even on jogging paths. What a God we serve who allows us to find friends and fellowship in so many different locations. I do not believe that things just happen. I truly believe that God orders all of our steps and ways. He allows us to cross paths with many individuals. He alone knows the reasons for the moments of bumping into others. I am asking God more and more to be alert to His leadings in my life and to be awake to what God is trying to teach me in others. God works and continues to work in everyone’s life.
Today I find myself a bit tired. I have had meetings every night this week and it is starting to take a toll on my personality. As such times I don’t feel very productive. A meeting requires a great deal of emotional energy. I never know what is going to be brought up and dealt with because some use a meeting to get their agenda on the table and miss the real issues. I have even been to meetings that seemed like a complete waste of everyone’s time. As I write these words I am preparing myself for the last meeting of this week. Looking at my feelings I have decided two courses of action. The first is to not have meetings unless there is a reason and the second is to get some rest the next couple of days and regroup. I may find after a few days away from them that they have accomplished more than I originally thought.
I love greeting and meeting the many who come and worship on Sunday as a part of our Church family. Our new 8:33 service does not allow me this happening. I have been struggling with how to make contact with the many new faces some of whom I have hardly met. Then it occured to me that worship is not about me and what I want but about God. God knows who is in worship and God speaks to them in unique and wonderful ways. So, now I am praying that God meets all who worship with me and that I will remember my proper place in worship. May God be glorified at all worship services.
Today I turn a year older. This birthday has caused me to do some reflecting. I start my life in the sixties and wonder what is ahead. I love what I am doing in ministry and I love where I am at with friends and family. But I still wonder what the years ahead hold for me. As I have given some thought to this I now wonder if I am going at this all wrong. Perhaps I should be more concerned about today and glorifying God today. It is so easy for me to get ahead God. At such times I tend to want to control my life and its future. God has other plans. I know He wants me to walk daily with Him and let Him take care of the tomorrows. Years ago God allowed me to come into this world on this day and He still controls the world and wants to guide me through it. I know from experience that I am only happy resting in His Care.
I got back from backpacking on Saturday night and today is my first full day of work. I enjoyed hiking very much. I saw some beautiful country and was with some dear loved ones. I was even surprised by a birthday party that my son and his wife arranged. As I sit back at my office desk I realize again that God has indeed been good to me in so many ways. Being home feels good and once again I thank God for being able to be a minister in a congregation that is loving and kind. Truly there is no place like home.
Today I am getting ready to go on my backpacking trip. I leave tomorrow morning. However, before I get to the mountains let me say that today God has blessed me richly. I got up early and believe it or not my neighbor came out to greet me. This was about 6:30am. She wondered who cut my lawn but before she left she had told me about her mom’s health issues and her health issues and we held hands and prayed. I saw a tear starting to come out and felt God was in this encounter. I got out to Rock Springs Park and before long saw some members of the church who are leaving for Oregon. We talked and I thought again God was here. But before my walk was over I was stopped by a couple who had visited our church a few weeks ago. We had a talk and even had prayer. They needed it and so did I. God was in that encounter, too. My start to the day was uplifting to say the least. More than once I marvel how God works. He is amazing. I pray that I will be open to seeing. His handiwork everywhere I am. Well, I must stop and get ready for my backpacking trip. Do you suppose God has some encounters in store for me in the state of Wyoming? Pray for me that my agenda will not get in the way of what God wants me to do.