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Location: Blogs Brad's Blog |
 | | Posted by: Brad Miller | 9/9/2009 9:06 AM | One of the great things about getting married on a holiday weekend is that every year there is an extra day set aside to celebrate. When Carol and I were first married, a national professional society I belonged to always had their annual conference over the Labor Day weekend in Chicago, possibly our favorite city. So every year on our anniversary, we knew we could take a relatively cheap trip to Chicago (the Palmer House at conference rates…you can’t beat it!) We would have a chance to relax, to be with friends, and to celebrate our marriage. Since I became a minister, that trip is no longer an option, but still, the holiday weekend does allow us to get away and to make our anniversary even more special.
This year we headed over to the beach for a couple of days of relaxation and sea food. We spent the better part of one whole day on lounge chairs, under a big umbrella, reading, enjoying the sound of the surf, people watching and simply relaxing. I can’t think of a better way to spend a day…except maybe a day at the ballpark…but that’s another story.
While it was nice to relax and forget the troubles of the world for a day, one of the enjoyable things for me is always watching the kids and their sheer joy at being on the beach. This weekend was no exception. One young girl in particular caught my attention and has given me reason to smile every time I have thought about her.
It was mid afternoon and a woman walked up to us asking who she needed to talk with about renting the chairs and umbrellas. She had a toddler on her hip, and a 4 or 5 year old by the hand. She was looking a little harried, and I took her to be the children’s grandmother. I showed her who to talk to and she thanked us and walked away. Just then came a voice behind us. A girl of about 9 or 10 yelling at the top of her lungs, “Oh Grandma! Oh Grandma!” I turned as she ran by us toward the woman with whom we had just been talking. As she ran by us she dropped to her knees and shouted, “Grandma, this is amazing! This is amazing! I can’t believe I’m here!”
I looked around and wondered if any of the rest of us felt that way as we arrived at the beach that day. I know that I once had. The first time I saw the Atlantic Ocean I was about 7 and couldn’t believe what I was looking at! The huge waves and the vast expanse of water that went all the way to England! I had always thought the Great Lakes were, well, great, but this was amazing! Later on, living in Boston, I got used to taking walks down by the harbor, or taking day trips up to the north shore or to Rhode Island to spend time at the Atlantic shore. You get spoiled when you live that close to the ocean, and I still am moved every time I see the ocean. But it has been a long, long time since I reacted the way that girl did And I wonder, as I sometimes do, when I lost that sense of joy and amazement. As I have thought about that girl over the last several days I’m not sure that I really have lost the sense of joy and amazement. But, what I have gained is a sense of propriety, an “edit button”, if you will. It wouldn’t be very seemly for a man of 53 to sprint to the beach shouting, “This is amazing! I can’t believe I’m here!” People would look at me like I was al little odd if I jumped out of the car in the foothills of the mountains and screamed: “Can you believe this place! It’s unbelievable!” I might get locked up if I jumped up and down whenever something in God’s creation caused my heart to beat a little faster, or the beauty of a sunset caused my eyes to tear up, or the sheer joy of life made me dance a little jig, wherever I was.
I’m not sure I can override my conditioning, but I want to not only experience what that little girl experienced, I want to celebrate it, too!
Times are tough; there is a lot of sadness and pain in the world. But at the heart of it, there are so many things that point to the goodness and graciousness of God that I want to shout, “This is amazing! I can’t believe I am here!” So, if I happen to do that when you are around, do me a favor…don’t turn your head in embarrassment for me, or shake your head in judgment. Rather, grab my hand and jump up and down right alongside me! I’m pretty sure that would feel pretty good, and I’m pretty sure God would smile on us. And I’m pretty sure that would be good.
For an updated prayer list and list of upcoming events, please go to www.brookhavenchristian.org
For your prayers:
Alton Sims, brother of frequent BCC visitor Loretta Mosteller, as he deals with cancer.
Randy Rawson, brother of Wendy Miles, as he begins treatment for cancer.
Announcements:
Don’t’ forget to mark September 20th on your calendar. We will recognize Rev. Carolyn Flemming’s completion of her course of study at the Christian College of Georgia, gather for a Third Sunday fellowship lunch immediately after worship, and an official board meeting immediately after lunch. All are invited to the board meeting where the main order of business will be an update of the building renovation process. Please come and find out what is coming!
One of the really nice events that happen at BCC is “Dinners for Eight”. Member families host a small group in their home on a Saturday evening for dinner. The hosts provide a main dish and coordinate other dishes from the visitors. It is really a great way to relax and get to know some folks at BCC. The next one is Saturday October 3 and we want to make sure that you avail yourself of this great opportunity for fellowship. We have hosts ready to do their part (the Sheffers, Mazloums and Millers) and need some more folks to sign up to join in the fun. Call the church at 404-237-3030 to sign up or contact Lynda Anderson, or e-mail Ruth Luckett at ruth@brookhavenchristian.org
Also, don’t forget to sign up to come to More Hands for God Day on Saturday October 31. Folks will gather at the church in the morning to carpool to the City of Refuge to join folks from other Disciples churches in a service day. We also will be collecting hygiene products to be delivered to the City of Refuge on that day. Attached to this missive is a sign up form that you can put in the offering plate (or you can simply e-mail me with your information and willingness to attend) and a list of the hygiene products we are requesting. Simply bring them to church.
I hope you will be able to join us in worship this Sunday, September 13th as we celebrate the Lord’s Day together once again. We will be continuing our sermon series on “The Other Voice of Jesus: His Brother James.” The sermon is titled “Godspeak” and the scripture is James 3:1-12. Have a great rest of the week.
Be peaceful,
Brad | | | Permalink | Trackback |
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