Sunday Surprises

It was good to be in the house of the Lord!!! The day held some interesting surprises! Life is never dull!

Lydia couldn’t go to church because she was feeling sick. I don’t like leaving her; it’s lonely without her. 2 Chronicles 15:7 really spoke to my heart this morning: “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.” There were several other verses that sorta jumped out at me, but that one made the biggest impression. In just a few minutes I would know why it was so needful for me to read it.

I knew the minute Mischa opened the door at the building that there was a problem. What a sight met our eyes! A raw wooden podium, disco lights, beer cartons, filthy floor… The kitchen counters were covered with dirty plastic ware, and there were glasses, both broken and whole, scattered everywhere. The place reeked! And the flies! Big, juicy flies everywhere! Ugh! Yuck! You could expect that from a public school, but not from a “Christian” Evangelical school. It’s too bad the Evangelicals never heard about separation from the world. (Romans 12:2) They sure would solve a whole lot of confusion for the unsaved if they would (#1) really get saved, as most of them probably have no clue what true salvation is, and (#2) start living differently from the lost. What an awful testimony!!!

Dad and Mischa, in their good Sunday suits, mopped the floors. We didn’t do coffee after the service. We couldn’t have nursery either, because drum sets and chairs were randomly standing all over in the room we usually use for nursery, in between all the trash on the floor. I felt upset, and I knew Lydia would be too, had she been there. Then I suddenly understood why I read that verse this morning. “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.”

We got things reasonably cleaned up by the time people started arriving. I was playing the piano when I felt more than saw Mom and one of our ladies standing by me. Odia whispered some wonderful news to me. It’s a secret that won’t be public for a while. Can’t wait to share it!!!!!!! =)

I finished practicing for the song service. Seeing Shelby and Pauline walk up to the building, I went to greet them. They both looked so pretty. When I commented that they looked nice, Shelby teased, “Yes, we already know.” Ha, ha!

I got to hold baby Nathan for a few seconds before the service started and I had to go to the piano. This was Michael Gill’s last Sunday; he’s moving to Canada this week. During prayer request time he thanked us, his “family,” for our prayers for his health, etc. I’ll miss Brother Michael.

Dad preached “The Lies We Believe About Evangelism.” It was a good message, but I had such a hard time concentrating in between people getting up to use the restroom (I’ll be nice and refrain from commenting about how disruptive it is to those trying to concentrate and how rude and disrespectful it is to the man of God and ultimately God who is trying to convict the hearts of people) and then batting the pesky flies away. Gross! Ugh!

We got home, and I whipped the rest of the chicken casserole together that I started last night. Yum! We liked it. Josiah, the noodle fanatic, said, “I’m not sure I like it; can I have some more?” (grin) Hmm…that sounds like my brother. =)

Dad and Josiah went for a bike ride. In the meantime I did some baking. When the guys got home they walked right in from their ride and made a beeline for the covered basket of banana oatmeal muffins. Why is it that men are amazingly alert when it comes to food? That’s always been something that puzzles me. =D

Daddy read to us before bed. We are reading a book Mom bought Dad for his birthday called Bless God and Take Courage, about the life and legacy of Adoniram Judson. He died in the chapter we read today; so did Emily, his 3rd wife. It’s so sad! I don’t understand why such godly people lived a life of such indescribable suffering. I know some of it---infant mortality, bad living conditions, and therefore bad health---were partly due to the time in which they lived. When I contemplate the lives of these godly men and women who endured so much for the cause of Christ, and the tremendous sacrifices they made, I feel unworthy that I should enter the same golden portals as they. Who am I, and what have I done to deserve the privilege of being seated at the same table to sup with these? I praise God that He has somehow---somehow!---counted me worthy! May I be found forever faithful, even unto death, as the blessed pilgrims who already traveled the path that lies before me!

All of us, minus Dad, went for a walk. It was nice to get some fresh air. My favorite moment of day is when it’s just becoming dark. I so enjoy evening strolls! On Friday night I was closing Lydia’s and my bedroom window, which was standing wide open, when I suddenly stopped. Leaning my head against the window frame I paused to enjoy the quiet beauty, the tranquility of the moment. It was dark, but still light enough so I could make out the shapes of the houses and trees. The gentle night breeze carried the soft, sweet fragrance of summer flowers. I closed my eyes and inhaled the lovely scent while sending a silent message to the heavens for someone very special to me. I’m glad I serve a living God! I’m glad I know He’s always listening! At such a moment I’m just thankful to be alive! Have you ever considered what a wonderful thing it is to breathe God’s air--to be alive? In the busyness of life we so often forget to be thankful for the simplest, most essential things.

Praise God! I will love Thee, O LORD, my strength!