June 14, 2010

Have you ever had expectations about something that, when met with reality, look nothing like what was anticipated?  I’m sure you have, I’m sure everyone has…and I am sure that ‘s what last week was all about – at least for me and my family.

Each year, we go to Carlsbad in north San Diego County for a week.  Usually we take family or friends with us, but this year I felt that it was really important for just the five of us to go – well, really, all the people we invited had other plans!  Regardless, we left after church on the 6^th loaded up in my truck with all of our luggage, our beach gear and everyone plugged in to the appropriate “help the long drive south go by fast” electronic device.  We made it in record time and found ourselves eating at our favorite taco stand a few hours later.  After checking in and unpacking, we ran to the hot tub to make our family plans for the week and start relaxing.

Evidently the boys had invited a family friend to meet us there, and in a matter of a few minutes they were off following  their own travel itinerary.  Evidently the family staying above us had a whole herd of water buffaloes staying with them and found it necessary to see how many stampeding noises they could make…all night long!  Evidently someone asked God for gloomy, cold & sunless days.  Evidently the beach was too cold to enjoy.  Evidently someone neglected to tell me how boring Legoland would be.  Evidently the friends Melody & I were planning on hooking up with all had other plans.  Evidently our quiet little resort escape was no longer a secret and hundreds of other people were in our paradise.  Evidently things don’t always work out as you expect…but then that’s not really new news is it?

I’m really not complaining – really, I’m not.  Because here’s the cool part of all of the unpredictability…God blessed us with a wonderful week!  Since the weather was so bad, we had lots of down time as a family…and lots of time to do things that we wouldn’t have otherwise.   The boys got to golf on two really nice courses, we had a great night with a bunch of relatives eating Mexican food around a bonfire.  We had gourmet Filipino food prepared by a great friend of ours.  A visit to the Midway Museum and 28 laps around a race track on electric race cars were not on the original agenda but  turned out to be highlights of our time.

But for me, the best moment of all, was the moment early Sunday morning.  We loaded up all of our stuff and hit Interstate 5 at 6 AM.  A few minutes up the road everyone was fast asleep again.  I had worship music playing as I was headed north along the coast.  All the world was still sleeping…really what else would they be doing on a Sunday morning anyway…but I was worshiping!  With a heart filled with gratitude to the Lord for a terrific week of just being, I thanked the Lord for my beautiful wife and partner in life & ministry.  I thanked the Lord for my amazing children and how they are growing in “wisdom & stature”.  My life is blessed!

Have you ever had expectations about something that, when met with reality, look nothing like what was anticipated?  I’m sure you have, I’m sure everyone has…and I am sure that ‘s what last week was all about – at least for me and my family!

Pastor Michael