I have been reading Laurie Beth Jones book, "Jesus: Life Coach." In one of the chapters called "Be Seen." She begins by telling the story of Zacchaeus from Luke 19:1-5. Jesus basically says, "Hey Man, I see you! Come on down and let's get to know each other." Laurie shares several stories of how people have come to know God is with them. One of folks has an agreement with God that God will send white butterflies. Another woman asks God to show her a penny. I won't share more. You'll just have to buy the book.
Last weekend I was getting ready for our confirmation retreat as I mentioned in my previous post. I had read the chapter about being seen and kind of offered up, "Ok God, you know I am going through some rough waters. If you could find a way to share with me smiles from people that would be great." Well the retreat was all smiles! Seven and eighth graders chasing each other in tag and having a blast.
I started the week with good vibes but trying to help a church turnaround is not easy. I quickly got hit with several things because people want a leader that tells them what to do not help them figure it out. As I moved through the week I felt my energy waxing and waining. I spent time today getting things done around the house which I have been putting off for too long. Then I needed to head to the office. My office and the church are in walking distance to my home. Not in my typical garb for the office, jeans and tshirt, I got in my office, stopped at the church and then proceeded home. As I was, I noticed a white station wagon trying to park on courthouse square as I crossed the street. As I approached the car walking on the sidewalk, A gentleman got out and shouted, "How are you Pastor?" That happens every now and then in this small town. But I did not know or remember this man. We shook hands and I asked how he was. "Well, I have been out for seventeen months and I remember how you always came and talked to us." This man was one of the inmates I see every month to lead worship in the county jail. He told me he was working and clean and going to meetings. He was spreading his resume around to see if he could get a better job. He told me he was doing well. I told him it was great to see him and I would be in prayer for him.
Wow!!!
As I walked away I said, "Okay God....Ya got me..You see me and are with me." While I will remember the smiles of our confirmation class for a long time, the smile and conversation from this young man getting his life turned around, meant so much more today. Because it was from God. Maybe that is what we all need to do. We need to covenant with God about when we need to be seen through his eyes. Maybe we need to pick something that we know will put us back on our heels. Something that then gives us the continued courage to move forward. I half-heartedly asked God for smiles thinking this was kind of silly. But God showed me that even the smallest gesture, a smile, at the most unexpected time from the most unexpected person, can remind us Zacchaeuses of the world to hear that still small voice from God: "I see you and I love you." I found my courage today through God smiling at me today....how about you? What has God put before you to let you know you are seen and loved?
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Soon our annual conference, The Wyoming Annual Conference (NE PA & Southern Tier of NY) with be no more. We are in a time of change, exciting and challenging and a little fear thrown in. God is telling us a new thing is happening. But sometimes even when we are doing that new thing memories return and call to our mind people, places, events which remind us of that past, brought to the present and thrust us in the future. For all you English majors, sorry about the LONG sentence.
This past weekend my co teacher for confirmation and I took seven our our eight confirmands to Sky Lake. It is a camp which has been associated with our conference for a long time. www.skylakecenter.org Through my candidacy process this place became a touchstone. When I was commissioned to begin the process toward elder in the UMC, we had a retreat for those being commissioned and ordained. I am still in contact with many who were commissioned/ordained in 2002. Again in 2005 my commissioned colleagues and I would be ordained. Through that three year process we had two years of short retreats with our leaders, Rev. Lynn Snyder and Rev. Bill Highfield. We always had a great time and learned a lot. But one of the things that I remember is Bill always sitting in the rocking chair in the lounge we spent time in while learning. We all joked that it was Bill's place. No other chair would do. Within the last year, Bill died and went to be with the Lord. But before then, I was always reminded of his ministry with us. One of the folks I was ordained with and I were asked to lead the probationer's class. While budget constraints would not allow a retreat every time. We had one day meetings but were able to have two retreats, one to begin the fall and another to close out a year of meetings. When we met we went to Sky Lake. The same building, Underwood lodge in the same lounge. While I would sit on the "comfy couches or chairs" I often sat in the rocking chair. the very same rocking chair that Bill sat in. I did so initially with a little bit of fear and trepidation. I mean after all that was Bill's chair. But soon I realized that my sitting in that rocker was more of an honor, in remembering Bill, and a duty, in passing on what he passed down to myself and so many others.
That whole idea came to light even more so this past weekend with the confirmands. Here my partner n teaching, Barb and I were discussing the UMC and sharing history and "language" with them. Each time we got together I sat in that rocker. Only thing missing was the pillow Bill often used as lumbar support but I didn't mind. I even sat in it as we watched our movie. The more we sat and talked the more I felt that I was following not just in Bill's footsteps but so many that went before me. I was taking time to help lead, guide and teach young people not only about the faith, the role it can play in life but about the church and what kinds of roles it can and does play in lives here and around the world.
I am so thankful for the many who have touched my life and journey of faith. But today I give special thanks to two people; First, Lynn who is still faithfully passing on the faith, serving the people of God in parish ministry; Second for the life of Bill Highfield in his ministry to so many. I will never look at that particular rocking chair at Sky Lake or any rocking chair for that matter in the same way ever again. that chair and all those rockers will remind me of the story telling and passing on of faith Lynn and Bill did for us and now I am called to do for others.
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Wow!!!
