August 8, 2008

• Warm Thoughts

  • I was thinking back today to the three vacations we spent in the condo on Treasure Island. My current profile picture was taken on the balcony of the 6th-floor condo where we stayed. We made some truly amazing memories there. One of my favorites was the year the hurricane hit and the condo lost power so our family all gathered in the stairwell and watched the hurricane rage on through giant windows and sang praise songs in three-part harmony. When we’d finish a song we’d hear applause from various floors, and each song ending seemed to indicate that we were drawing an audience. It made me smile thinking of people listening to us and singing praises to the Lord along with us. I won’t ever forget it, and I’m pretty sure my family won’t, either.
  • I was in Wal-Mart today and a precious woman came up behind me in line in one of those little carts. It was her own and not a Mart-Cart, but she apparently was still getting used to the way the buttons worked. It suddenly started beeping at her and she looked up rather sheepishly in her embarrassment. I smiled at her and said, “Those things have minds of their own, don’t they?” She smiled back and nodded. We carried on a friendly conversation while the cashier finished my order, the dear elderly woman reminding me more of my beloved Mama Mary by the moment. I found myself reluctant to leave her behind. I managed to wave at her one last time in the parking lot but resisted the urge to stop and give her my phone number in case she ever needed anything or just wanted to chat. I wish I had given it to her.
  • Our 17-year-old son Trevor is leading worship this Sunday. Rosie and I are on vocals, and we’re doing one of my very favorite songs, “Lead Me To the Cross” (which should be playing currently here on my blog). We’ve worked the vocal switch-offs and harmonies until we have them down really well. I love the way Trevor leads. It makes me smile deep down.
  • Trevor, Rosie, and Matt led worship for a youth group gathering last night and afterward got some pretty awesome feedback. The youth pastor called today to tell them thank you…and quite a bit more. It went something like this: I just want to tell you guys how much I appreciate you, not just because you did such a great job on the worship, but because of who you and your family are. I haven’t known many people who moved away and left me really missing them, but I feel that way about your family. The way your parents interact, the way you all interact as a family, the way you build each other up and don’t tear each other down…I mean, I’m sure you have issues like anyone else, but I just love the way you are with one another and the way you reach out to others. The neighborhood isn’t going to be the same. Things…just aren’t going to be the same without you. You’ve really shown me the way I want my family to be. When Megan and I have our kids I want them to be just like Trevor, Matt, and Rosie. I love you guys, and I’m really going to miss you. I’m so glad God brought you here.
  • We’re having dinner with close friends tonight. It’s been a while since we got together with them, and I’m really looking forward to it. We’ll be talking over some pretty deep things, and it’s been a little while since we did that, too. It’s good to be able to share our hearts again.
  • My beloved is on his way home right now. I can’t wait to feel his arms around me.

  • 6:06 pm
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