May 18 – “The Third”

Yesterday we took another step into the weirdly familiar, yet distinctly different approach to ministry called Corona-virus Church.  Oh, we are still meeting outside.  In fact for the three Sundays we have been doing Seaside Outside, the weather has been amazing.  Cloud cover.  Not too hot.  Yesterday we had a little bit of a sprinkle before everyone started arriving, but it served to just cool everything down. 

So how was this week different from all others?  Well, it was the third Sunday of the month of May.  Around Seaside the third Sunday immediately evokes a response.  That is our traditional date for Dinner on the Grounds.  We missed it entirely in the month of April.  That’s when we were still doing just online services.  Now we are meeting together again, but we are doing it outside.  So how could we effectively and safely continue the tradition without setting up a common food table?  Chris came up with the idea of encouraging each family to bring a picnic lunch.  Genius.  As it turned out, several families even brought enough extra to share with visitors and those who didn’t bring anything.  We sat under the Retreat Center building in the shade and enjoyed the cool breeze and each other’s company, both of which were truly special gifts from God. 

Chris and I had the extra treat of hosting Cailyn for the day, and last night as well.  Her Mom and Dad snuck away to a big Houston hotel to celebrate their twelfth anniversary.  Congrats, Nathan and April, by the way.  Our house guest turned into quite the impressive person to have around the house.  She and Chris got to baking and created some concoction of a cake that started in a coffee cup in the microwave, and before it came out there was a cake growing inside (of the cup, not the microwave).  Some kind of volcano thing, I think they said.  All I know is, the thing was very chocolately delicious. 

Cailyn also helped finish the jigsaw puzzle we have been working on for several weeks.  Chris took a picture of it to send to our puzzle-following friends.  And Cailyn then joined me in summarily dismantling the thing, leaving no two pieces together.  Nope, no assistance for future puzzlers here.  Then she dug through our stash and chose another one for us to start on.  At first glance it was a very beautiful picture.  A cowboy and stallions.  But up close we realized that it was in reality just a series of shadowy figures with all real details blurred into shades of black and blue and a foggy-looking flesh color.  I think this one might be even tougher than the one we just finished.  And of course Cailyn is going home today, so no help there.  But, hey … we still need something to do as we begin the exit procedures for the Corona-cation, right?

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

Father, thank you for the really nice weather you have blessed us with for Seaside Outside.  Amen.