I should be in bed. I fell asleep during an old Seinfeld episode & had full intentions of just going straight to bed. But that quick little nap gave me enough umph to sit down & digest the day. And it probably didn't help that I picked up a copy of St. Athanasius' On the Incarnation & soaking in Griffin House. Here I am...enjoying the day that was.
As I walked upstairs in that post 'falling asleep on the couch during a Seinfeld episode' stupor, I stumbled across this mess of blond hair & fuzzy pj's. We know it as Reed. The little sneak got out of his bed & looked like he'd been waiting @ the top of the stairs for me to show up. His hands were still on the balusters & he was crouched like he was peeking through. Made me smile real big. I love this mop-headed bundle of raw orneriness. He, unknowingly, capped off a Sunday I'd like to remember for a good while by just being his own Reedness.
I don't know that today really had much to do what happened @ Paseo. Although I really enjoyed today & fell in love with the people who have decided to ride this crazy train that is Paseo all over again. Not that I ever really didn't love them, but seeing them again really was like a reunion for me. I got to preach. It still humbles me that I get to do this week in & week out. And today, I think I was me. I wasn't trying to be who I am not. I was a dork...in a good way. I got a little heated - had a little passionate tent revival preacha jump out of me. Sometimes I really hate that I can't be that quiet, thoughtful teacher type preacher, but today I couldn't tie the tent revival guy down...and I just rolled with it. I'm digressing...the point is I just liked being able to just being me. It felt good to be back in my own skin.
Probably the highlight of the Gathering was during communion when I had one of our older Paseoans (late 70's) walk up to me & in response to what was said in the talk & what God was laying on his heart, he said with tears in his eyes, "Isn't it beautiful to think that God, since before time, was waiting to share this moment with us right now? Isn't it true love that He knew & wanted every single person in this room to engage Him?" Wow. We both started crying & hugged. I'll never forget that. Ever.
I love that about Paseo. I love how free people feel to share what God is telling them right then & there. Even though it was just between me & this older friend - it was no doubt a moment that would not have happened if we leashed people.
And the day seemed to just go that way. 10 minutes after the Gathering - about 10 of us were huddled praying for a friend of a friend who just lost a brother to suicide. I left that & looked around the room & saw more of the same. People huddled - talking - praying - laughing. This is all during the oh so important 'gotta tear down & get outta there' moments. My heart just melted in sorrow - joy - & thanksgiving.
I left. I went to buy some wings for lunch we were having with friends. And all the way to the store, I couldn't help but reflect back to my older friend's words: 'Isn't it beautiful to think that God, since before time, was waiting to share this moment with us right now?' There is something simply profound about that statement that I don't want to shake. I just don't want to shake it off.
And I haven't been able to.
It stuck with me through lunch. It burrowed itself during a rousing match or 2 of Wii tennis. It made it's home as my 6-year old baby girl sat on my lap & said, 'Daddy - I don't want to get bigger than six.' It grabbed hold of my insides as Ethan & I ran to Target to get school supplies & how we probably had our first real adult conversation about expectations & hopes for the future...his future. And as Jill & I finished our marathon of 24 & The Unit - it was real...God, since before time, waits for us in each moment.
Goodnight.
love hearing this! thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Michele | January 07, 2009 at 07:37 PM