My brothers and sisters in Christ,
Next Sunday, September 28, we will be celebrating Grandparents’ Day. It will happen after our Hymn of the Day. We will celebrate it a couple of ways: If you are a grandparent who has grandchildren far away, we would love for you to come up in front of the church. If you are grandchildren and your grandparents can come, we ask you to bring your grandparents to the service. You will escort them up in front of the church. If you are a grandparent and your grandchildren can come, we ask you to invite them and escort them up in front of the church.
I love being a Grandpa. I know my wife loves being Nans. We have been so fortunate to be part of our grandchildren’s lives. When I was at the Seminary in Wartburg in Dubuque, Iowa, there were no classes on Friday. I only had one class in the morning on Thursday, and so Patty and I would rush to Hoffman Estates, IL, to go pick up our grandson, Xavier, and watch him all day Friday until mom or dad came home. Then we made the trip back to Dubuque. We did this for about a year.
The funny thing is, we never complained about doing this. It was about a little under three hours’ drive, and sometimes on Thursday, before we left, we would be telling each other to hurry up so we could pick up Xaves. I was able to witness some of his first steps. He loves his grandparents, especially Nanes, who runs around after him. He has no fear of us at all. With Nolan, his brother, at first, he was very hesitant about us. He has come around since then.
My granddaughter Charlee and her family lived with us for over a year. I would wake up early to get some work done, and I would hear these feet on the floor, and she would hop in my lap, asking to see Charlee pictures on the computer. We would go through them, over and over again.
I loved being a parent also, but I felt like I missed a lot of their growing up because I was working all the time. It is probably the hardest part of this job. I am still working. When they come for a weekend, I have to leave midday Saturday to prepare for our worship service.
Some of you know that Charlee’s family moved to Chattanooga, TN, a month or so ago. Still sort of grieving that one. For those of you who have your family close by, enjoy it. Try not to ever take it for granted. It’s special.
I made the comment this weekend that we are in a stretch of passages where the actions of people simply don’t make sense. A shepherd who leaves 99 sheep to find one. A woman is tearing her house apart to find one coin. Before that, we talked about the cost of following Jesus. God wants it all. Like last weekend’s Gospel, God does not play second fiddle. Following God for some doesn’t make sense at all, but for us, we wouldn’t want anything else. If you’re honest with yourself (me too), too many times we are that one sheep or coin. I am so thankful we have a God who will not leave one stone unturned to find us.
It made me reflect on my life a little. Have I done anything that simply doesn’t make sense? Something that can only be explained by God’s touch. Being engaged after only three weeks, maybe was one? Certainly, being a pastor is another (That makes no sense at all). However, what have I done lately that hasn’t made sense, which could only be explained by God’s kingdom coming near? You? We call that a “thin spot,” where the distance between heaven and earth can’t be seen. It is this || close. Where was your last “thin spot?” You all haven’t been very good at sharing with me, but I would love to hear about your “thin spot.”
We have a chalkboard that has many items for the spaghetti dinner coming up on October 13. Some of you who watch us online and live close by, why don’t you stop by the church and pick a few items if you can? Might want to hurry. I don’t know how the board looks after Sunday’s service, but they usually do a number on it. Thank you, everyone, for helping out with this event. While you are at the store, why don’t you grab some good paper plates for PADS? I know they would appreciate that also.
Crossed marked and spirit sealed,
Pastor Tom
815-223-1144
Readings for the 16 Weekend after Pentecost– Weekend of September 27 & 28.
Amos 6:1a, 4-7 Psalm 146 1 Timothy 6:6-19 Luke 16:19-31