June 23, 2019
It’s been quite a weekend. Yesterday morning and afternoon five churches worked together to host a block party for our neighborhood, and in the evening I got to hear some great preaching at a tent revival meeting. Also, our my eldest son turned 47, and today he and his youngest daughter are enroute to the mission field to visit friends and serve, after participating in the groundbreaking for the new addition at Park church. This evening after sending a granddaughter off to visit friends from college, Linda and I had our best friends over for coffee and conversation.
The days have been full and busy with good things that fill our hearts with joy, making us all the more aware of circumstances that are bringing grief and pain to others. Close friends battling cancer, another battling addiction, a third trying to make sense of her mother’s death, a woman trying with all her strength to stay strong after losing her livelihood and home, and still others grieving over choices being made by loved ones; this world is, as has been said, a “vale of tears.”
While at times we revel in the joys of this life and the blessings God so graciously bestows upon us, at other times we are puzzled by the mysteries of life and the struggles that seem so overwhelming to others. Of this however, I am sure: God placed us here at this time and in this place to live generously and expansively and to bless those whose paths we cross with whatever help we can offer, especially the Good News of the Father’s love and Christ’s sacrifice offered to bring us into relationship with him. We’ve been given much, and to whom much is given, much is required. Tomorrow it will be time to pay up. One thing I know: it is better to give than receive. Being on the giving side of life is a great privilege and responsibility. I am humbled and thankful in the mystery of God’s will to be on the giving side.
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