Time for Respite

[deacon blues]

I'm sitting in my back yard. It is beautiful here in Memphis. The temperature is perfect. It must be 70 degrees. There is no humidity. The sun is setting. The hues of orange and red, yellow and purple are splashed across the horizon at the end of another day. I've been positioned here listening to the the male cicadas play their beautiful and winsome mating song. The large, majestic oaks on our property provide natural acoustics as the chorus of "tree crickets" belt out their mournful drone.

My wife had a meeting at the local battered women's shelter this evening. I grilled for myself, my sons and my daughter for dinner. It was cheeseburgers and hot dogs with corn on the cob and buttered garlic green beans on the side. We feasted on the deck with our miniature poodles circling like vultures scavenging at the feet of my two-year-old son, Coleman, who has a penchant for dropping more on the floor than putting in his mouth.

I'm sitting in my chair, satisfied and happy. We had a great Sunday yesterday. It was one of best Lord's Days so far this year, at least for me. The attendance was strong for both services, that's always a plus, but I was fulfilled primarily because a special touch of the Holy Ghost was with us. Jennifer, a single mother of four, her daughter, Lauren and Lauren's friend, Shelby came to the altar and repented. The message was about the Joy of the Lord vs. Emotional Happiness. There is joy in heaven over one soul that repents. I don't know of any other Scripture that tells us that anything else causes joy in heaven. Two new families attending for the first time this past week and weekend are joining our assembly.

We started this year ambitious and confident, on the heels of our fifth straight year of steady growth. We averaged 124 in 2002. Every year since, we have experienced incremental growth. 134 in 2003. 144 in 2004. 148 in 2005. Last year was our best year thus far with an increase to an average of 165. We aren't blowing off the doors, but we're seeing steady progress. I thank the Lord for this.

2007 has been a good year, and although it has not had the momentum of last year thus far, God has blessed us with some delightful new folks and tremendous services. Its been quite a run from New Year's to Memorial Day. I am weary. My wife is very tired. My kids are out of school and they are enjoying time away from the regimented life of school days. We've cried together, laughed together, counseled with suicidal individuals, married couples on the verge of divorce, and young people seeking direction. We've baptized dozens, prayed for the sick, visited the elderly, laid awake in bed burdened for backsliders and prodigals. We've married a few folks, we've buried a few precious children of God who made heaven their home and sadly a few who probably weren't prepared for eternity. I've preached dozens of messages, taught dozens of lessons, made phone calls, updated calendars, met with leaders, the church board, our ministry staff and other influencers.

Its been a good run, but I am ready for a recharge. I watch my two sons presently playing in a trailer loaded with white sand that we purchased to help spruce up our volleyball pit. Our eldest is thirteen. He had to wear my shoes for Easter this year because he had outgrown his! He could shave within six months. His voice lowers an octave every month. Sitting next to my two year old, the contrast could not be more pronounced. His brother will be dazzling me with his speedy rush to maturity in just a few short years. Our daughter has lost another tooth. When she smiles she looks like a hockey player. She will be eligible for youth camp next summer! Perish the thought!

Time is traveling past me at warp speed. I'll be 41 next month. I rejoiced today because I DIDN'T weigh 198 lbs! Just a few years ago I never even considered I might ever break 185! I threw an apple core over the roof of our garage into a field and just about needed to get Tommy John surgery as a result!

Vacation is beckoning. Time away is calling. The Durango is in the shop getting serviced for the road trip to Ohio, then Hilton Head. I'm going to turn off my phone. I'm going to play with my kids. I'm going to play some golf. I'm going to enjoy my wife. I'm not going to step on a scale. I will not worry about people. I will get some quality time with God, reading my Bible, praying and meditating as I watch the sun set.

Come quickly, June 7, come quickly!