Waiting waiting waiting

Austin Jack was due last Wednesday or last Friday--the doctor gave Jacob and Lisa both dates. Whatever the case, he's still loving it inside his mom. So we're waiting.

Next Saturday, the synod in Springfield will decide which four of us continue in the process for Bishop. So I'm waiting.

Meanwhile, in three weeks, we'll celebrate 25 years of being St. Mary's, Cypress, Texas. It hit me--I've been rector for half of St. Mary's existence. Who would have ever thought?

I remember the Sunday at St. Cuthbert (where I was a member then) when a group of folks left to go help start St. Mary's. I actually have a notation somewhere in my Bible, next to whatever Scripture we were reading that day: The Departure.

Twenty five years ago! I was so sure I knew what God's will and God's way was. Strangely, God's point of view lined up pretty nicely with mine. Talk about creating God in my own image!

Twenty five years from now, God willing there will be another 25 years, what will I look back at and smile at my foolishness? Isn't God's patience wonderful?

And just like that it's July

I'd gotten behind in reading the Bible through in 90 days. I thought about actually picking the Bible up and reading, but I felt committed to listening my way through.

Then I had a long road trip--back and forth to my mother's farm for the Fourth of July. That got me through Kings and nearly through Chronicles. With my walking partner on vacation, I'm taking the Bible as my walking companion. Then I got through Ezra this morning peeling and freezing peaches. Just like that (well, not really), I'm back on track.

Listening this morning to the story of the returning Exiles and the conflict between them and those who stayed behind has given me pause. The men gathering and repenting of marrying foreign wives and leaving those wives and children is most troubling. Of course, as God provided for Hagar and Ishmael, God can provide for those abandoned wives and children. But what was God's will in this? I am reminded that I must take care interpreting the stories of the First Testament especially when I use them to discern God's take on any given contemporary issue. It seems that finding the meaning behind the meaning is critical.

Listening to these stories in consecutive order over a short period of time is shaping me, and the best preparation I can think of for whatever God has next in store for me.