Roller Coaster of a Weekend

Sunday morning, between Bible Class and worship, I was visiting with people in the auditorium as I always do, and one of my friends asked me how my weekend had gone. For some reason, I did not respond right away. I wasn't sure how to answer the question. On one level, it was one of the toughest weekends I have had to experience. But it was also a wonderful weekend filled with great things. The only way I could describe it to the person who asked was, "it was a roller coaster ride of emotion, but I wouldn't change a thing."

Last week, early Wednesday morning, someone in the congregation had passed away from a heart ailment. He was 25 years old. He was a great young man who in spite of his illness, had a heart of gold, and served God. I had the privilege of spending quality time with the family up the point of the funeral and I was glad I did. It helped me in my efforts in conducting the funeral service, but I also believe it helped the family in a therapeutic kind of way, to verbalize and process their hurt. The funeral went well I suppose....I guess about as well as a funeral can go. I was amazed at the strength and faith of the family. I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to say goodbye to one of my precious boys. From a selfish standpoint, I hope I never have to experience it. I don't want me and Cody to hurt like I saw this family hurt. But while it hurt this family immensely to say goodbye to their beloved 25-year old son, there was no doubt in their minds that they would one day be reunited with him. Their faith in God was incredible. I learned a valuable lesson in being around them; there will be a day in which every single one of us, if we have not experienced it already, will have to say goodbye and "let go" of someone while on this earth. And may our trust in God be strong and unwavering when it happens. Because it will hurt. And the temptation will surface to be angry and confused. The amazing thing was that the family wanted me to mention this in the service. They wanted their situation to benefit others. I ask that you please pray for this family in the coming days, weeks, and months. It will be tough for them. But I am confident that because God is the awesome refuge that He is, and because of the strength and faith of this family, they will be okay. They told me repeatedly, that they wouldn't a change a thing, because their loved one is now in a better place, and that he is no longer sick. They wouldn't change a thing. Wow!

Well, after the funeral and gravesite service, we had plans to be in Victoria that evening. My parents were taking us all out to dinner at a fancy (not to mention expensive) restaraunt in Victoria, Olde Victoria. It is a beautiful place on the 12th floor of the plaza center in downtown Victoria. Joining us would be the parents, myself, Cody, the boys, Megan (my sister), and her boyfriend Matt. Mom spinned it off to my little sister that it was the only time all of us would be around during the holidays so she wanted to buy us all dinner so we could be together. It was a wonderful time. Well, unbeknownst to Megan, Matt was planning to propose to her in front of the family. He waited until we got back out to the house and did it. It was touching. Cody got it all on video, so we will soon get it posted here on the website, once we get Matt and Megan's permission to do it. Matt is a good guy, and I will be gaining a great brother-in-law. I am glad that my sister will be in good hands with someone who loves her and will always cherish her. She deserves it! We got home around 11:00 PM Saturday night, got the kids to bed. I slept soundly that night as I was obviously very tired.

So Sunday morning rolls around, and I am up early as I usually am on Sunday mornings, looking over my lessons that I have prepared for the day. And my phone rings at about 7 AM and it is a dear friend who I had not spoken to in almost a year. We talked for about 20 minutes. It was good to hear from him and it absolutely made my day... and weekend.

Then the highlight of the weekend came after morning worship. Some people in the congregation, about a month ago, began to think of something they could do for a group of underprivileged children, including adults who are residents at a home for mentally disabled. And what they did, was met a couple of Wednesday nights ago and decorated stockings. The kids in the congregation drew a person's name and were to give a stocking filled with various "goodies" to the individual of whose name they drew. We had a luncheon for them yesterday in their honor after our morning worship where the stockings were exchanged. What a hit! The smiles on their faces said it all. The joy and pride seen in their eyes, as they were reminded of how important they are to us and that they were made to feel like a part of our family, was priceless. But amazingly, to me, that wasn't the biggest part that sticks out in my mind. As I watched the kids interract with them, it hit me that they were visiting with these people moreso than the adults. And as I sat and watched what was happening, it was the youth in the congregation that were being the example to the adults, as eventually we adults began to interract as well. Again, I am reminded of Matthew 18 when Jesus charges us to become like children. I was proud of our kids and I think the parents have a great reason to be overjoyed with what their children accomplished. I hope that they learned a lot from the experience. I did, undoubtedly. It is meaningful because it was the people who were socially unaccepted in society that Jesus actually reached out to. It is a reminder to me that the kingdom is in reality an entity that is available for all, not merely for socially, economic, or religious elitists. And although the kingdom is within the grasp of all man, including the underprivileged, they may never possess it, if we don't get out and introduce it to them. Last I checked, people are not knocking on our doors asking us to introduce Jesus to them. We are the ones who need to get out and do it. I saw that in our youth group and their parents yesterday.

Also, it is in the plans of our youth in the near future, hopefully during the holidays, to make a trip to Central Texas Children's Home, for a day and spend some time with the children there, playing games, watching movies, etc. I am happy to serve in a congregation with people who have kingdom hearts. The people here in La Grange have taught me a lot. May all of us continue to grow in our efforts to develop hearts like Jesus.... and may we continue to do our very best to live our lives as Jesus would live it if He were in our place.

What a weekend!