November 15 – “Who woulda’ thunk it?”

We had a pretty rousing day at church yesterday.  Right at 50 people came for worship.  The praise team was rarin’ to go.  Five guys.  One gal.  Three guitars.  One mandolin.  Bass.  Drummer.  We did miss the violin/fiddle, though.  Corey was engaged in a missions opportunity.  Jim did his usual amazing job of crafting the praise and worship portion of the service, and it really reflected the joy of the Lord.  I had quite a few complements for you guys after church.  Nice job.  Thanks, Jim, for all you do.  I’m certainly proud – and blessed – to have you around.  So is Seaside.

 

After lunch we were treated to a pastor appreciation dinner at Gringos in Texas City.  So was Kel and his family.  Thanks so much, Lauren.  That is Kel’s absolute favorite place to eat anywhere.  Fits right on up there for Chris as well.  It took us thirty-plus minutes to get seated.  That was a function of there being so many of us.  As we waited, though, Kel and Christina were surprised to get to see a whole group of their friends from First Baptist Texas City.  Helped pass the time.  The meal was really good, of course.  We were finally stuffed and ready to leave by around 3:30.  And that’s where it gets interesting. 

 

Remember that – finished eating around 3:30.  Kel and I had a meeting to get to by six, so we had to get our families home and make our way over to a church in Texas City.  We both made it with minutes to spare.  Found our way to a table in the back.  After a bit it was becoming evident that we had selected the troublemaker’s table.  Literally everyone else was seated on the other side of the room.  We were all set to narrate the flow of things from our “outsider’s” vantage point.  But then … sadly, then the Associational director for Galveston Baptists joined us.  And then … so did the executive director of Texas Baptist Small Church Minister and Spouse Association.  And then … So did the president of said organization.  He went on to be the guest speaker for the event.  In three fell swoops we went from sitting alone at the kids’ table plotting mayhem to being seated in the teacher’s workroom.  Aargh. 

 

The meal?  Oh, right.  The meal.  It was a dinner meeting.  Buffet style.  Uh huh.  Mexican food.  I was more fortunate than Kel.  In my old age I have mastered the art of creating at least two meals out of whatever we order when we go out.  I hadn’t eaten all that much at Gringos.  Kel, on the other hand had wiped his plate clean.  And now he would be expected to do it again.  We both did our best to handle it.  I mixed my refried beans and rice together with the enchiladas to form a sort of casserole.  That way it looked like at least part of my plate was well spoken for.  Kel did a masterful job of masquerading his leftovers with a skillful placement of chips.  And then he volunteered to take our plates to the garbage can.  Don’t get me wrong.  The food was not horrible.  But for me, two Mexican food dinners in a row just doesn’t work. 

 

After the meal we went across the street to the church sanctuary for a worship service.  Everyone was given a paper bag with assorted chocolate goodies inside.  Oh, and a blue ticket.  The passport to the door prizes, we surmised.  We heard words of encouragement from several different sources, all committed to the cause of caring for pastors and their spouses in small churches.  The fellow I mentioned earlier did his sermon, encouraging us to be “Mark’s” and know that our participation in the Kingdom work really does count.  They finally did do some door prizes.  A couple of gift cards for dinner and a movie.  A hundred-dollar voucher toward a hotel stay.  The grand prize was a two hundred-dollar Visa gift card.  They called out at least fifteen different numbers before they finally hit on one for someone in the room.  And the winner would be … me.  Wow.  Who woulda’ thunk it? 

 

Isaiah 6:8 says, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?’  And I said, ‘Here am I.  Send me!’”

 

Father, thank you for the encouragement we received last night.  And we can sure use that gift card, with Christmas coming up.  Amen.