Happy Daylight-Saving-Time Saturday, friends!
Are you ready to spring forward so you can drag into church tomorrow?
I remember a young couple in our church years ago who were always late to church. They would roll in about midway through the second song.
This particular year, they came in the back door as we were about to have the closing prayer. They were stunned!
As I stood at the back door greeting people on their way out, she said, “This was going to be the day! We set our alarm extra early so we could finally make it on time!”
They just didn’t figure in the time change.
Don’t let that be your experience tomorrow!
I have to admit that I’m scattered in my pondering today.
I was on the road last Saturday and didn’t have the opportunity for published pondering.
I did, however, ponder some things.
The end of last week had me in Dallas for the annual board meeting of Texans on Mission. I’m not on the board, but as a staff member who works remotely, it’s my one time per year to be in our headquarters and be face-to-face with people.
There were a couple of things I pondered last weekend while I was there that are still simmering a week later.
One was a sign on display in the staff break room:
“Speak in such a way that others love to listen to you. Listen in such a way that others love to speak to you.“
What a great reminder about the power of respectful, engaging dialogue!
How might our days go differently if that were our rules of engagement for every encounter?
Last weekend was also a bittersweet time of remembering.
The previous year I drove down a day early so I could spend some time with my mom at her home about an hour’s drive from TXM headquarters.
I had started adding an extra day to any trip that was close to Mom so I could see her. She was approaching her big 90th birthday (the party was already planned) and I knew I needed to see her as often as possible.
I took her out to dinner and then spent the night in her spare bedroom. The next morning, I took her to breakfast and then headed to Dallas.
That was the last time I was with her. Less than a month later, she graduated to heaven. (I didn’t get a photo that trip. The one here is from a month earlier. It’s the last photo of us together).
That anniversary was not lost on me last weekend. And I’m so glad I made those extra trips.
I just got home yesterday afternoon from another trip to the Dallas area to sing with the Singing Men of Texas – North Central. The concert happened to be on the 17th anniversary of my first time to sing with this group.
What an amazing blessing in my life these 17 years have been!
To joyfully lift the name of Jesus in churches all over north central Texas, as well as concert halls around the world through our mission trips, never grows old.
In August, I’ll celebrate my 3rd anniversary with the Singing Men of Texas – Panhandle. I never imagined that this stage of my life would look like this.
It makes today’s verse come to life for me:
“Come and listen, everyone who reveres the True God, and I will tell you what He has done for me.”
It’s likely that your life doesn’t look like mine.
That’s ok.
God made you to be uniquely you.
And you have a story to tell.
Tell it in a way that people will want to listen.
And listen to them in a way that invites their stories.
Be amazing today, my friend.
(And don’t forget to set your clocks)
