Since my side of the family has included a fair share from the Columbus end of things, we have frequented the state capital’s annual Red, White & BOOM! Granted, I’ll be the first to admit that Independence Day isn’t my favorite holiday of the year. That probably has more so to do with me being a winter than a summer guy. I’m not overly excited about parades. And I suppose since having a dog, who was frightened over the loud cracklings, for several years, and then children, who supposedly should be in bed at a decent time for world-preservation’s sake, the fireworks observance has fallen by the wayside.
Amidst all the chaos seemingly running rampant in our world, it’s always helpful to be reminded of the sheer kindness carried out by those who may never receive any direct benefit from their most unselfish acts.
When our twins were born, we received this red folder seemingly packed to a breaking point with all these documents we supposedly responsible parents needed to fill out as if their very lives depended on it. But one was rather different from the legalistic rest. It was for this thing called Imagination Library. We had never heard of it, so we researched the website:
In recognition of our upcoming Vacation Bible School next week, with the theme “Road Trip: On the Go with God,” hopefully one of the inspirations for the big kids of Divinity and beyond is considering some of our own cherished road trips in our lifetime. For as much as we children of God of all ages are fully aware that we are on this beautiful and scary and captivating and terrifying and majestic and heart-wrenching life-long “road trip” with God, it is rather re-assuring to know that we have other joint-journey venturers to go alongside us. The ones who will serve as the visible sings of God’s love, the tangible upliftings of God’s compassion, the in-the-flesh embodiment of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The ones who will allow us to long for the eternal destination of this mortal undertaking, but to also inspire us to believe that there just might be a precious bit of heaven on this earth as well.
This weekend, I’ll be presiding over my niece’s wedding. An honor, to be sure, but yes…it’s this weekend. The first Saturday evening and Sunday morning we’ll gather without our beloved Pastor Doug following his 22 years of ministry with us. Needless to say, it isn’t the best weekend to be gone during the immediacy of ministry transition and all, but the wedding venues that fervently drive the nuptial industry don’t care about such things. This will be the place that wonderful and love-filled memories will be made to last a lifetime for the bride and groom and family and friends, and that is what matters most.
Ah, the potluck. The Lutherans proudly claim ownership over the culinary art, but I have a feeling the Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, our best friend Catholics, and all the rest of humanity know how to maximize on the opportunity to partake of numerous savory nourishments. Nevertheless, we Lutherans will still insist that we have perfected the casseroles and pies and fruit punches to marvel all the tastebuds in fellowship halls all over the world.
