It's the small things. I already shared a little bit about my time with one of my Army units this weekend, so I probably don't need to tell you that these are tiring weekends. I may be a bubbly extrovert, but imposing yourself upon dozens of strangers from the early hours of the morning until the early hours of the evening is not easy work!
But God's grace is ample and sufficient. I forgot my coffee when I left home yesterday morning for my hour-long car trip. So I stopped by a charming independent coffee place in small town called Mukwanago (try pronouncing that!). The staff and customers all greeted me warmly, thanking me for my service, and the owner gave me a $5 gift card for coffee in the future. We'll be back!
During my lunch break at McDonalds, as I was following the beat down of my hometown Redskins, parents kept approaching me with their children, and each of the kids would come up to me and thank me for my service. One dad told me that his boys were all in the Scouts and suggested that they might become soldiers some day. I sure hope so.
For all of the frustrations attendant to the Army life, especially in the Reserve world, there is still a striking cultural difference between this institution and the culture at large: It doesn't turn victims into celebrities; It turns servants into heroes.
I won't usually have this privilege when I'm drilling in Eau Claire (four hours away), but I was able to join my family for the evening worship service at Falls Presbyterian and hear an encouraging sermon from Romans 8 on suffering and hope. I was tired and distracted, but because the Word does not return void, I came away blessed.
The Bible and the Egg. Thankfully, there's no debate here as there is with the chicken and the egg. The Word was the means by which God created this world, and the expression of His will for it. That said, we recently found a Bible verse printed on the inside of our egg carton. This pleasant surprise joins a box of Angry Orchard Hard Cider, which had a Gospel message folded up and tucked inside the box. Welcome to the Midwest, where more folks wear their faith on their sleeve (and egg carton) and haven't been shamed into silence.
Religion and politics. I'm always nervous when I think of how best to employ my great passion for politics. It stirs up great emotion in most people (often unhappy emotion) and becomes an unfortunately means for defining someone prior to any substantive exchange on a personal or spiritual level. Despite this nervousness, many of my best Gospel engagements over the years have occurred at local polling places with people from both parties. As always, I must pray for wisdom and work to be winsome and personal by God's grace. Thankfully, I do not have to choose between the pastorate and politics. Fundamentally, I am a Christian and can love the Savior who first loved me through whatever task the Lord sets before me.
This morning, I met with the county volunteer coordinator for my given party, and plan to get plugged in a hopefully write/ghost-write op-eds in support of this movement over the coming year. I will attend a rally for my favorite presidential contender this afternoon and aside from enjoying a great speech, will have plenty of cards on hand for folks who may be interested in meal or a church.
Prayer Requests
Please pray for my participation in this political rally this afternoon, and for my second gathering with the Toastmasters tonight--that the Lord would give me at least one opportunity in each venue to say something of the Gospel. And please pray that I would seize those opportunities, by His grace.
Please pray for my American Legion meeting tomorrow night and my first running meetup on Wednesday night, that again, the Lord would give me opportunities to know people, love them, and share with the true hope of Jesus Christ.
By God's grace, we will be closing on our house this Friday. Please pray that the whole process would go smoothly and that we would be able to quickly switch into our hosting-gear and start fulfilling the promise of a meal, drink, and good conversation that I have made to so many!
Please also pray for my family. They have borne the weight (and wait) of about six months of uncertainty and trying transitions--practically the whole of our baby girl's life! Please pray that amidst all of the new (and wonderful changes), the Lord would help me to re-focus on my marriage and family and enable us to have some routine and stability!
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