Over the Backyard Fence

As I settle into my big chair in the family room, laptop in my lap, le Tour on the T.V. (last day of le Tour *sigh*) I am reflecting on my day... as I do let me digress.

Yesterday, the weather got in the way of some plans I had for the weekend. Most of you know that I cycle. Every year in August I, along with my friend Kate and her friend Tracy, lead a ride south of my home for CIBA (Central Indiana Bicycling Association) As a ride leader you are responsible for the route, SAG support, marking the route etc. One of the more tedious jobs is marking the route. This involves spray painting Dan Henry's on the road. Now marking the route isn't necessarily a difficult task... but it's a time consuming task. Four ride legnths between 15 miles and 60 miles... that's a lot of spray paint, 4 way stops, right turns, left turns etc. (I won't go into all the particulars of how to mark a route... I do want to keep your attention.) Fortunatley for me, the past two years we have hosted, I haven't had to be a part of the "ride marking". That task fell to Tracy and Kate. Tracy was unable to help this year due to a family celebration, so had I not helped Kate would have been on her own.

Yesterday morning the thunder rolled and the rain fell. Kate and I were scheduled to meet at 8:30 am to head out and mark the route. Wet roads and spray paint don't mix! The only other time Kate was available to get this task done was this morning, Sunday! What? Sunday morning? Don't mess with my worship time! Now, I have to tell you... not going to worship in order to mark a cycling route isn't what I really wanted to do. Worship on Sunday is extremely important to me and when I am unable to attend it's difficult for me. I have to admit I was doing a bit of grumbling about it yesterday. But the Spirit gave me a nudge. Yes, I had to give up going to church, but I was helping a friend... a friend who needed me.

This morning, after Jim left for church I sat down at the kitchen table for some prayer time. Pouring my heart out to Jesus. A few tears even fell. After prayer, I opened "Coffee Break with God" a devotional I have had for many years, but had not used in some time. After all I was enjoying my morning coffee in this quiet time. I asked the Lord to speak to me... and I opened the book. Speak to me He did. I do want to share what God said to me in that devotion... the meat of that will have to wait for another day.

At 8:30am I had to head out the door. I was meeting Kate and her boyfriend (he graciously helped as well). The 20 minute drive was glorious. I put in some praise music (thank You Lord for Travis Cottrell) and I drove south. Singing and praising God at the top of my lungs in the car. (I am sure any passers by thought I was nuts - yes sir, nuts for the Lord) It was glorious! The sun was shining and I was praising Him for the day, His creation and for giving me a brief moment on a Sunday morning to worship Him in a very different way. Now, please know that I am not condoning giving up corporate worship. (Hebrews 10:25 is coming to mind right now: Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.) But I have to say... my worship time today was a gift from my Father that I will always cherish. He knew I needed to help my friend, but He also knew I needed to worship Him. He gave me that opportunity and it was precious, precious time w/ my Father. I worship & praise Him this way many times during the week, for example on the way to the office each morning etc. But today, today it was a bit different. Perhaps because where I thought I really wanted to be this morning wasn't where He wanted me to be. There are reasons that rain comes... and we don't always know why. We grumble when the weather forces a change of plans. For me the rain came yesterday, not to mess up my schedule, but to give me the opportunity to fully worship my God, in a different way than the normal, and give Him all the glory for this life He has so graciously given me. The words of one of the praise songs are still ringing in my ears as I type this... as I wind down this Sunday evening... I pray they touch your heart and move you as they move me... I love you friends!

You alone are my passion forever
Song of my soul, desire of my heart
You alone are my passion, my treasure
I love You for all that You are

To the ends of the earth I will follow
There's nothing that I will not do
You alone are my reason for living
Jesus, my passion is You

My life, my love, my God
You are my life, my love, my God