Life as a Snow Day

When I was a kid, I would watch outside my window early in the morning if I knew snow was coming.  The anticipation that I would have listening to the radio as they went through the list of school closings was comparable to waking up on Christmas morning.  And when the Snow Day was finally announced, Wow!

Of course, this begs the question of what I actually did on a Snow Day.  There was never anything on TV worth watching, unless you like The Price Is Right.  I did not have a whole lot of friends in my neighborhood, so hanging out with them was a bust.  In fact, my little brother was just young enough that I was shackled with “watching him” for the day, which usually meant “torturing him” for the day.

Despite the lack of activity, I still loved the Snow Day.  I think that I just loved knowing that I could just stop “doing” for a day and simply “be”.  My friend, Rob Bell, says that there is a reason we are called human beings and not human doings, and I think he is right.  It is nice to “be” on a Snow Day.

Lately, I have been working 50 hours a week at a job, many more hours on a church plant, and still trying to find time to do things with my family that I feel like I neglect so much.

Today, it snowed.

My work wanted me to hit the streets, since more people would be home (I visit door-to-door) for me to contact.  The church has a board meeting tonight.  All the unfinished tasks that I have are calling my name.

Instead of listening for the radio to brighten my day, I did a little announcing of my own.

Today is a Snow Day, because I said it is.  Everyone needs a Snow Day now and then.

When Things Are Tough

I am an adventurer.  Have I told you that?  I love the thrill of doing something that other people wouldn’t try.  I enjoy the challenge that accompanies the unknown.  I don’t like to be bored.

Unfortunately, this often leads me into some tough situations.  Most recently, my family moved to Louisville to accept the challenge of planting a new A/G church.  Knowing up front that this would require me to work a full-time job in addition to being a full-time planter, the task appealed to my risky side.  I mean, all the volunteers I have worked with have had jobs to work in addition to their church work.  It only seemed fair to join them.

This week has been rough.

I work a lot of hours.  My job involves trekking around in all sorts of weather and knocking on the doors of people that I do not know.  It really isn’t as bad as others might think, but this week, it has been taking its toll.

Where my job seems to take the biggest toll is…at the church.  You see, planting a church wasn’t a whole lot of work until the past few weeks.  As we inch closer and closer to our launch date, there is more that must be done in a shorter amount of time.  I delegate tasks pretty easily, but that does not mean that I get out of work.  There is just so much to do.

There seem to be not enough hours in the day.  I feel like I am constantly behind in my work (on both fronts).  More than anything, I see my time with God shrinking.  I pray as I walk through the neighborhoods, but that is quite different from stopping and spending time with the Lord.

How do I balance between what I am called to do and what I must do?

Lord, help me keep my eyes on the target You have set before me.  Help me remember what You have done in the past, so that I can have confidence in Your provision in the future.  Reveal Yourself in my life when things do not go perfect.  Let me lean on You when things are tough.  I need You.

Blessings (It’s The Little Things)

Lately, I have begun noticing just how much stuff seems to fall into place all around me.

For instance, I was having a fairly rough sales day today (yep, I am a salesman).  I began praying as I walked about what God wanted me to do to make a sale.  It might sound stupid, but when it is your job, you pray about these things.  Out of the blue, I get a phone call from the son of one of my previous customers.  He wants to make a large enough purchase to double what my goal was for today.

I think that is God.

This weekend, Craig (our worship director at Four Hills) began making a list of sound gear items that we would need before our first preview service on February 21st.  We have been blessed on the financial front, but I still cringe when I think about buying “big ticket” items like speakers.  The very next day, the groundskeeper at the campground (our church meets there) takes me to a room stuffed full of sound gear that is no longer being used.  He says that we can have it.

I believe that is God.

I met a young man years ago that I had lost contact with recently.  He is a good guy, but has had some bad things happen in his life.  I discovered two weeks ago that he works at the same place that I do.  Today, when I see him, he asks me what sales team I have been placed on.  I tell him that I am now a part of his team.  ”That figures”, he says.

I know that is God.

God is always on the move.  He is right there pulling the strings and making things happen.  Sometimes, it is good to just stop and take notice.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  - Romans 8:28