It has been a wild and wooly Memorial Day weekend. Instead of it being the laid-back-and-just-grill-a-hamburnger-or-bratwurst kind of holiday, mine was anything but laid back. And just so you know…I am not complaining. At all. There are times in a pastor’s life where all kinds of stuff happens that takes one out of a routine.
It started Saturday when I found my Saturday being a busy one. Normally, I get up early and go to the office for 1-2 hours then head to the Y for about a 1-1 1/2 hour workout. Then after my shower I head back to the office where I study and pull things together for Sunday. Around 1 or 2:00 I normally head HOME where I relax, study, read and visit with Jo for the rest of the day. This past Saturday we had planned on attending a wedding on Saturday afternoon, but my Saturday afternoon was all different. I found myself visiting someone at the Hospice House in Bloomington and then running to the Bloomington hospital to see someone I had just found out was in. When I got HOME that afternoon it was time to eat and rest. I had told the folks that I would probably not be able to attend the wedding because of my visits and also the need to study.
Sunday seemed to go off without a hitch until the storm came through. We were done with our worship and people were milling around as the deluge hit and then the power went off. NOW THAT WAS FUN!! Meanwhile, it is pouring like cats and dogs; people were getting soaked as they ran to their cars (even with umbrellas); and I hadn’t left the building. The rain slacked off until I decided to leave. Since I park at the back of the lot only one word can describe me. Can you say drenched? At the same time we are expecting our daughter and her significant other to get here to drop her off for a few days. They get here and fortunately, we never lost power in town. After lunch and a short visit, I spent the rest of the afternoon at the office due to the hectic nature of this week and made my way HOME early evening.
Monday I came to the office to do my Encounter Time since Janna was sleeping in the living room and I didn’t want to wake her. My slowed-down Monday took on a whole ‘nother dimension when I found myself going to the Hospice House again (for what may be my final visit) and then head to the hospital to visit two patients, one a new one with a stroke and an emergency surgery as a result. I finally made it HOME.
Today Janna has eye surgery with a follow up tomorrow and a trip to Ohio to take her to her home on Wednesday. Probably Thursday Jo and I will be back HOME.
You may be wondering: why the travelogue Bill? Notice the word I emphasized throughout the post. HOME. That word means different things to different people. HOME to me means a place of safety and security and love and acceptance and kindness and relaxation. A place of LOVE. Hmmmm sounds like what the church ought to be. And that is my focus these days. How can the church be a HOME? I have so much more to say and will…another time. This is already too long. But over the course of the next few weeks and months I will be sharing more of the church being a HOME.
Meanwhile, I may post tomorrow but will be out of commission until Monday. I’d appreciate your prayers for Janna’s surgery and our trip to Ohio and back.
“Welcome Home” are the words printed on the order of service program at our church, and that’s how we should make everyone feel when they come to worship with us. This phrase also has a deep and memorable meaning for me personally, but that’s a story for another day. I am so looking forward to your reflections in the coming days, Bill.
I will pray for Janna and for your trip.
Blessings!
That is the theme I am working with Martha. And I would love to hear your story some day. Maybe I can incorporate it into my sermons in September and October??
Springtime inevitably means our home expands to include a new room — the basement. The clouds darken, the winds build, the sirens sound, and the skies open, often adding hail to the rivers of rain (like they did Sunday afternoon).
We got the rivers of rain but fortunately (this time) no sirens Hope your family was safe.
Sounds like you had a busy weekend, but I am glad you had an opportunities within your busyness to make it “HOME” for rest and recovery.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on how the church should also be that place of safety and security…
Praying for your trip, for Janna’s surgery, and for more rest to come.
Thanks for the input Ryan. HOME was a respite for me even with the extra body there. 🙂 Thanks for the prayers.
Praying for your Jana’s surgery, safe travels, and well needed rest.
Looking forward to more on the church being home. When we look at the start of the churches in Acts, and how they came together, and it was more than just a place for worship. With our busy lives, I think we forget how to take in the home of the church and make it a part of our lives in the way that Jesus’s attended it to be.
First, thanks for your prayers Gail. I know Janna is ready to get it over with and to stop wearing glasses. 🙂 As for a well-needed rest, I’m not sure driving 8 hours is much of one. 🙂 As for the church being home, I hope i don’t disappoint.
Busy busy busy! But it is so good that you make sure you set aside your quiet and study time. I am sure it is your time to renew and recharge. Prayers for Janna!
True that! And as you probably have told Dick somewhere along the line: “You gotta slow down.” I believe I have heard that several times lately. 🙂 Thanks for the prayers for Janna.