I’ll Stand
I was startled to find the pastor standing over me.
This “Pastor” was not like any pastor I have ever seen before. Dressed all in black with a demonic look, more Satan-like, he was standing on my pew near where my head laid. He was preaching about me and drawing the attention of the congregation sitting in the pews around me. He was mocking me and humiliating me for stretching out in the pew and falling asleep during his sermon, so I became the sermon. And pointed out to all in the room I was even using Bibles as a pillow.
It was about 2 a.m. and after not being able to fall asleep in my office chair, I wandered down the hallway to the sanctuary and in the dark, I picked a pew a few rows from the front and laid down. Better, I thought, though nothing like my bed, at least I could stretch out. Without a pillow, I reached out and grabbed a couple of books, hymnals or Bibles, not sure, and put them under my head.
This is kind of creepy, I thought. I am trying to sleep in the same place where I got married and baptized; a place where I have attended the funerals of my friends, and Donny’s funeral.
Exhausted though, I drifted off to sleep
Maybe an hour later I was awoken In the middle of my dream with the demonic, Satan-like pastor. I checked the books beneath my head to see if they were Bibles. Finding only hymnals, I felt some relief.
For the first time since before the pandemic, my church held its annual yard sale. I have written about it before. It is quite a large, work-intensive event and typically it requires a few of us to work all night long in preparation. On this early pre-sale morning, however, we were fairly organized and it allowed me the opportunity to try to grab a little rest.
Not sure the church pew idea was my best choice though.
On June 16 I got a nice early Father’s Day gift. Hayley was asked to be the keynote speaker at the Broad Run High School Graduation. And it was broadcast online so Kim and I could watch it from our living room. That was probably a good thing too because I didn’t even make it through the introduction by the Principal before the tears started rolling down my face. Hayley did an awesome job, of course using the example of her “She-roe,” Ruth Bader Ginsburg to base her message.
Life Lessons (abridged version):
- Empower yourself, be independent.
- Find a true life partner, one that loves you unconditionally.
- Learn to welcome debate and difference. There is nothing wrong with having difficult conversations.
- We should all do our part to positively change the world. Work to repair the world.
It was awesome, she did a great job, and I was very proud, but little more dehydrated by the end.
Father’s Day weekend I was home alone again. Kim had to go up to see her mom and I had work to do here. Though we find ourselves needing to do this a lot, I don’t think you ever really get used to it. And I will admit I was a little depressed. I listened to Bill Ortt’s 5:00 sermon on Saturday afternoon. Then I listened to it again. Then I listened again.
Interestingly his message contained elements similar to Hayley’s:
“What can I do” (to make the world better).
“We do have a stewardship responsibility for the way we communicate with one another.”
“Let each of you speak the truth with your neighbor, for we are members of one another”
Wise messages from some wise folks. I hope I can live up.
On Father’s Day of course I heard from all the kids, but it was hearing my dad wish me a “happy father’s day” on my mother’s cell phone that was the highlight of my day. I didn’t think I was going to be able to work out talking to him but it was a nice surprise and he did pretty good.
As I mentioned at the beginning, this past weekend was my church’s yard sale which was a lot of work but a lot of fun too with some awesome people.
And today is my birthday.
I just listened to the voice mail from Kim’s 97-year-old Aunt Laferne. Every year she calls to sing “Happy Birthday” to you. We don’t answer on purpose because we want to save it.
And like Father’s Day, I got to talk to my dad on my mom’s cell phone again and he wished me a “Happy Birthday” and he talked about having too many boats. I told him you can never have too many boats.
Tomorrow we will celebrate Cameron’s birthday, on Wednesday Kim’s birthday, on Thursday we will remember the anniversary of my brother Carl going Home, and on Friday celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary.
A busy time.
Sorry for rambling a bit.
But I suppose there are some morals in the story.
Like, find a true life partner, one that loves you unconditionally. I will celebrate that later in the week.
Welcome debate and difference but we do have a stewardship responsibility for the way we communicate with each other.
We should all do what we can to make the world better.
Never fall asleep in church.
And finally, you can never have too many boats.
Postscript:
The birthday crown I am wearing in the photo above was made for me by Miss Laurie, co-teacher of my BFF’s, aka the “Dreamers.”
I haven’t had a chance to read my FB but will later, thanks for the birthday wishes.
I woke up this morning with the song “In Christ Alone” in my head. The version that Alison Krauss sings with the Getty’s. I think if ever I would imagine an angel singing it would have the voice of Alison Krauss. She sings the first verse in this version.
“Till He returns, or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand”