Cal and I have been friends for four decades. We have been through many things together. In some ways our friendship has been that which is found in the following YouTube video. Cal certainly felt that - he was the one who sent the link.
I let out that today was my birthday. Just for the fun of it. And it has been fun! We met with our seniors group today. My wife prepared the food for the group. I told them I was glad they had come to my birthday party. When I arrived home I checked Facebook - there were a few dozen happy birthdays. With gracious comments and those that talked of how old I was getting to be! 57 today - and ready for more years to come. And tonight I'm home vegging out doing nothing in particular. It's been a good day.
Good. While the farmers are struggling with downgraded crops, or none at all. While oilfield personnel are wishing they could traverse their heavy vehicles across flooded lands. While the weather forecasts rain again tomorrow. . . There is an attitude of expectancy. What has God got in store for us when all our comfortable supports are floating away? My guess? Lots.
This is becoming a habit - taking a day off. More for sanity and rest than anything else. I spent a 14 hour day yesterday - all good and well. But by the end of the day I was tired. Good tired, but still tired. So, I set up today to be an actual day off. No stepping into the office to perform church duties. Instead, I continued on an adventure to fulfil the last will and testament of a friend. I checked out a project we have been working on as a church. I had an extended conversation with a pastor friend. I watched a movie we had borrowed from someone else. I trimmed down a door so it closed well. I joined my wife in delivering a meal. I walked across the road to help a new neighbour unpack a few things. In all, this was a good day. Although some of the activities were church related, I did not feel at all constrained to do "the work of the ministry". What fun! May more days of rest be just that!