Actually, by date it would be tomorrow (the 16th) but it was Sunday, so it's a toss-up. Either way, I went to services at High Pointe this morning.
It marks the first time that I've even attempted to walk through those doors since last year. Lots of tears before and after, but those have become such a regular part of each day, that they don't spoil days anymore.
They've just become a measure of times we're close to Dad and his memory. Seemingly, the closer - the more tears! That being said - I guess today I was really close, which in retrospect made today a pretty GREAT day!
Ron Shepherd (the one Dad called my other brother) was preaching today. He's starting a 3 week series called 'Surpise Endings: When God takes you somewhere unexpected...'.
Today's sermon was 'Staying on the Path to Your Dreams'. The question was asked, "How can I realize my dreams?" The answer? Now, listen close, this is BIG... Learn to respond to detours!
That's when it hit me why I was really there. Yes, I was there honoring the last place (outside of a hospital or rehab facility) that Dad stood, preached, told jokes, hugged, etc. The last place Dad was seen being Dad - before things changed! But I was also there to get a bit of a spiritual smack upside the head from God and (indirectly I guess) Dad.
Quick point recap... my apoligies Ron, if I mess these up.
1.) Recognize the source of your desires (are you listening to God?)
2.) Cooperate with Circumstances (they will prove you or destroy you)
3.) Resolve Conflicts (take charge of internal intruders)
4.) Remain Alert, not afraid (don't become carless to marriage, work, etc)
5.) Finish the Preparation (be a mirror image of HIS preferred future for you)
This past year has definitely been a year of detours. Never in a million years would I have imagined we would be celebrating (I use that term most loosely) the one year anniversary of his aneurysm. I've failed responding to those detours many times over the course of the year. I'm still learning! I know that, with time, I will get better at handling the detours.
In the mean time I acknowledge that those detours are in God's plan to make me stronger, and continue to build me into the man God has planned for me... the man Dad was guiding me to becoming!
For now, I'll just keep striving to become that man. And trying to learn how to handle the highs & lows.
Thanks God, for the spiritual smack. I needed that!
Happy Anniversary!
Johnny:)
For your consideration (part of Ron's Ministry Philosphy from the bulletin).
INVEST in the deserving...
HELP the needy become willing...
LOOK to myself: reenergize!
One more thing. Do you want to listen to those last 2 sermons again? Thanks to HPCC, they're still available (for now at least) on their site or by clicking the links below.