I went to a baseball game the other day.
I saw something that puzzled me at first. Then it amazed me. And finally I recognized it as part of me...
The coaches at 1st and 3rd base each have an area in which they are allowed to stand so they can tell the runners what to do as they round the bases. The area is well defined and clearly marked on the field. The rules state without ambiguity that the coach must stand within the boarders of the box when they are on the field. The players know it, the coaches know it, even the fans know it.
But do you think that any of the coaches on either of the teams ever stayed within the defined area? Nope. They were always at least 2 to 3 steps outside of the box. It isn't that they couldn't see as well if they stayed in the box. They just didn't want to say in the boundaries.
I wondered about that for a while, and then I realized that I'm no different. I'm forever pushing boundaries in my life. How fast can I drive, how late can I sleep, how much food can I eat, how little exercise can I get away with, how much do I really have to pray, is it really necessary for me to read the Bible every day, why can't I...(fill in the blank)
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
482 items
So we are back.
It's funny really.
There were 482 items. 482 items!!! And I stood there in the hot sun as it was all unloaded to put a little check mark on a page to validate each box as it came off the truck.
I couldn't help thinking...how can the life of a family be boiled down to a list of 482 items. I mean, that is what came off the truck, right. 482 items represents the sum total of what they brought with them when they moved. These are the things that they valued enough to bring with them.
Lots of stuff didn't make the cut. Things got tossed or donated or just given away. Lots of stuff...I was there, I saw it happen.
So these 482 items were everything that they brought with them as they began their new adventure...at least that was what I thought...at first.
As I was standing there in the middle of all these boxes I realized that this was just their stuff. If the truck had for some reason not made the trip, and all the stuff never showed up it really wouldn't have changed much.
Sure, it would have been a major pain. They would have gotten a check from someone and then they would have had to go out and replace all the stuff, but in the end they would just end up with new stuff.
It wouldn't really have affected what they brought with them that really mattered. What they really moved with were the intangibles that really define their lives.
They moved with the PEACE that comes with knowing that they made the move because God wanted them to go there.
There was HOPE and EXCITEMENT for new adventures they would experience.
FAITH went with them, because it is what defines their lives.
They each had PLANS for what they would do when they got there.
They have DREAMS for this new chapter in lives.
LOVE surrounded them because they were sent off with it from many friends from home, and because they define it in their family relationships.
They couldn't travel without the MEMORIES of friends and good times that remained behind.
There were even a few FEARS of the unknown in what they would be facing. They probably didn't want to bring those, but in the end they are good too because their fears will drive them into the arms of a loving God whom they serve.
As I stood there in the driveway that hot sunny day, I realized that the intangibles added up to a lot more than 482 items ever would.
So it doesn't really matter that they can't find the toaster...
It's funny really.
There were 482 items. 482 items!!! And I stood there in the hot sun as it was all unloaded to put a little check mark on a page to validate each box as it came off the truck.
I couldn't help thinking...how can the life of a family be boiled down to a list of 482 items. I mean, that is what came off the truck, right. 482 items represents the sum total of what they brought with them when they moved. These are the things that they valued enough to bring with them.
Lots of stuff didn't make the cut. Things got tossed or donated or just given away. Lots of stuff...I was there, I saw it happen.
So these 482 items were everything that they brought with them as they began their new adventure...at least that was what I thought...at first.
As I was standing there in the middle of all these boxes I realized that this was just their stuff. If the truck had for some reason not made the trip, and all the stuff never showed up it really wouldn't have changed much.
Sure, it would have been a major pain. They would have gotten a check from someone and then they would have had to go out and replace all the stuff, but in the end they would just end up with new stuff.
It wouldn't really have affected what they brought with them that really mattered. What they really moved with were the intangibles that really define their lives.
They moved with the PEACE that comes with knowing that they made the move because God wanted them to go there.
There was HOPE and EXCITEMENT for new adventures they would experience.
FAITH went with them, because it is what defines their lives.
They each had PLANS for what they would do when they got there.
They have DREAMS for this new chapter in lives.
LOVE surrounded them because they were sent off with it from many friends from home, and because they define it in their family relationships.
They couldn't travel without the MEMORIES of friends and good times that remained behind.
There were even a few FEARS of the unknown in what they would be facing. They probably didn't want to bring those, but in the end they are good too because their fears will drive them into the arms of a loving God whom they serve.
As I stood there in the driveway that hot sunny day, I realized that the intangibles added up to a lot more than 482 items ever would.
So it doesn't really matter that they can't find the toaster...
Friday, August 1, 2008
Goodbye.
I hate goodbye.
My best friend is moving half a country away.
We’ve been praying about it for months. God has called him to join the pastorate of a congregation which needs his skills and maturity; and that of his wife…she is my friend too.
God’s hand is clearly in this. Their house sold in about 2 weeks with 1 showing in the worst real estate market in 15 years. Numerous events in their lives both big and small converged exactly the way that they would have needed to if this were to happen. Doors that needed to be open were opened and doors that needed to be closed were closed. He even spoke to my friend through sermons and scripture which pointed the way.
God’s hand is in all of this…but I don’t like it.
Not that it matters.
God never said that we have to like His will; only that we need to follow it.
So he’s going to go; and I’m gonna help him.
I hate goodbye…
I heard once that sometimes you have to say goodbye in order to be able to say hello again some day.
I guess there is some truth to that. I mean, it’s not like I won’t see them again. I’m sure we’ll speak often on the phone or Skype. E-mail will fly back and forth, probably on a daily basis.
But I’ll miss sitting down for a cup of coffee and a word of encouragement, dropping in to his office on a whim, taking our sons to a “boy movie” or the occasional nights out with other guys usually consisting of a steak and a “big boy movie”.
I’ll miss just spending time with him, sitting around doing nothing and liking it that way.
I know that God is sovereign and I love Him even more that I do my friend; so if it’s His will that they go then so be it…but I still don’t like it.
Our families will drive out to their new adventure together and we will help them get settled in their new home. We’ll probably get the chance to meet some of the new people who will share their lives. We’ll even get the chance to worship with them at their new church home.
Then we’ll give them all hugs, say goodbye, get back in our car and start the long journey home.
I really hate goodbye.
I hate goodbye.
My best friend is moving half a country away.
We’ve been praying about it for months. God has called him to join the pastorate of a congregation which needs his skills and maturity; and that of his wife…she is my friend too.
God’s hand is clearly in this. Their house sold in about 2 weeks with 1 showing in the worst real estate market in 15 years. Numerous events in their lives both big and small converged exactly the way that they would have needed to if this were to happen. Doors that needed to be open were opened and doors that needed to be closed were closed. He even spoke to my friend through sermons and scripture which pointed the way.
God’s hand is in all of this…but I don’t like it.
Not that it matters.
God never said that we have to like His will; only that we need to follow it.
So he’s going to go; and I’m gonna help him.
I hate goodbye…
I heard once that sometimes you have to say goodbye in order to be able to say hello again some day.
I guess there is some truth to that. I mean, it’s not like I won’t see them again. I’m sure we’ll speak often on the phone or Skype. E-mail will fly back and forth, probably on a daily basis.
But I’ll miss sitting down for a cup of coffee and a word of encouragement, dropping in to his office on a whim, taking our sons to a “boy movie” or the occasional nights out with other guys usually consisting of a steak and a “big boy movie”.
I’ll miss just spending time with him, sitting around doing nothing and liking it that way.
I know that God is sovereign and I love Him even more that I do my friend; so if it’s His will that they go then so be it…but I still don’t like it.
Our families will drive out to their new adventure together and we will help them get settled in their new home. We’ll probably get the chance to meet some of the new people who will share their lives. We’ll even get the chance to worship with them at their new church home.
Then we’ll give them all hugs, say goodbye, get back in our car and start the long journey home.
I really hate goodbye.
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