As I sit and reflect on the weekend, the words to a Michael English song come to mind..."Love without measure, space without time, life with no crying will one day be mine. Hearts never breaking, hands that don't fight..." Why? simple, the song is about what heaven will be like. While I am totally able to relate to the song, I must admit, many of the things in the first few lines of this song are very real in my life and I am ever grateful. I have a wonderful family, friends and a pretty awesome church to call home. On Friday night, I had the pleasure of spending it with my three favorite men in the whole world. Yes, my Old Socks & my boys. Since David is working nights and weekends, an evening together for the four of us is a rare occasion. On Saturday, we spent a leisurely day at the house and then went to the fall festival at our church, Campground Baptist, to help out with the Faith Riders' booth. This morning, we went to Sunday School and then worship. I must admit, it is such a blessing to finally be in a church which loves the Lord AND appreciate different facets of ministry. It is awesome every Sunday to pull into the parking lot and to park in the 'biker parking' area. Furthermore, we are blessed to be a part of a Sunday School class full of people who love the Lord and desire to grow closer to Him. Are these people perfect? Of course not, none of us are. However, it is a blessing to be in a group of people who realize that no one is perfect and agree to disagree on some things. Worship services at our new church home are also awesome in that worship in song is led each week by Shack on a Rock. I truly appreciate their hearts and ministry. Oh, and they ROCK! Another thing that has been missing for the better part of twenty years is that I get to sit in worship with my Old Socks at my side. In leaving Logan Road and not serving anywhere for a season, I realized just how much I missed those days at Carnesville Baptist Church. Those were the days early in ministry and most every service I was able to sit along side my honey, hold his hand during prayer, and worship with him. Now, before you go getting the idea that I am unappreciative of serving, allow me to explain....Sometimes, as a teacher, proximity is necessary to successfully lead/teach in a classroom. In a similar way, I feel that for a family to get the full effect of worship, it is necessary for the family to be in close proximity of each other. I realize there may be those who disagree with my thoughts here, but that is ok, shall we agree to disagree?
After church, we came home, made lunch, ate a quick bite as a family, then David was off to work another 16-hour shift. (This gets hard for a mom...I hate to see him walk out the door, tired from a 16-hour shift, headed to do another). Then, Chas, Mike & I spent a quiet afternoon at home. This evening, we had the pleasure of riding to Enterprise to eat dinner with Reece, Rhonda and the boys (Reece makes a killer low country boil ;) ). After good food, lots of fellowship and laughs, it was time to mount up and head back to Ozark. The ride was pleasant enough, however, I must admit, the time time has come in LA when leather and gloves are a bit comfy after dark.
As I reflect on the weekend, and even the week, spent with family and friends, I am reminded of a statement Brother Al made at the end of his message this morning...
"Friendship is a relationship based on love, that is expressed through sacrificial commitment to one another, through sharing and confiding in one another, and taking spiritual care of one another." That statement, coupled with thinking of what heaven will one day be like is exactly what my weekend has been like. I am ever grateful for my Savior, family, and friends. It is my desire to have that kind of friendships with family, blood and otherwise. Won't you consider what heaven will be like and what friendship should be like? Until next time, ride safely, live, love, and laugh....it does a heart good.
After church, we came home, made lunch, ate a quick bite as a family, then David was off to work another 16-hour shift. (This gets hard for a mom...I hate to see him walk out the door, tired from a 16-hour shift, headed to do another). Then, Chas, Mike & I spent a quiet afternoon at home. This evening, we had the pleasure of riding to Enterprise to eat dinner with Reece, Rhonda and the boys (Reece makes a killer low country boil ;) ). After good food, lots of fellowship and laughs, it was time to mount up and head back to Ozark. The ride was pleasant enough, however, I must admit, the time time has come in LA when leather and gloves are a bit comfy after dark.
As I reflect on the weekend, and even the week, spent with family and friends, I am reminded of a statement Brother Al made at the end of his message this morning...
"Friendship is a relationship based on love, that is expressed through sacrificial commitment to one another, through sharing and confiding in one another, and taking spiritual care of one another." That statement, coupled with thinking of what heaven will one day be like is exactly what my weekend has been like. I am ever grateful for my Savior, family, and friends. It is my desire to have that kind of friendships with family, blood and otherwise. Won't you consider what heaven will be like and what friendship should be like? Until next time, ride safely, live, love, and laugh....it does a heart good.