What a joy it is to sit on the back porch at the Centerville UMC parsonage this evening and spend a little time in sermon preparation outside. It's not often that I have the time or even the inclination to work on a sermon in the evening, but this week has been quite full with "people time" during the day. No opportunity has opened to sit at my desk at the church office for the study, meditation, and writing that needs to happen to preach a sermon on Sunday morning. So, here I sit on my not so comfy lawn chair on the porch, listening to the birds, the lawnmowers, the chain saws, the traffic, and apparently a leaf blower (at least that's what it sounds like) in the distance as I enjoy this incredibly beautiful June evening.
My trusty Labrador Retriever, Murphy, has already given up on sitting outside and is resting quietly (yes, crazy dog Murphy is being quiet!) in the house waiting for me to come in and give him a dog cookie.
It's good to sit in the middle of God's creation even in the midst of all the human noise. It's good to do a little bit of relaxation time after a busy day with our new summer morning Bible Study, lunch with 31 church members and friends, (yes, that's right - there were 31 of us at our Wednesday "Stucky" lunch today) a meeting with Centerville UMC's FCJ coach, and then sermon prep time. It's good to know that life is relatively peaceful at this point and my family and friends are doing pretty well - at least as far as I know right now this very instant - but mostly, it's good to know that God is with me (and you!) in, on, around, and amidst this journey of life and faith.
Blessings to any and all who read this on this soft, warm, and lovely June evening. And to God this evening..........thank you....simply, thank you!
