August 31 – “It’s Coming”

"What sort of tomfoolery is this?" pondered the visiting pair quizzically.  Certain that my facial expressions were revealing too much of the questioning inside my mind, the husband looked to the Queen for some sort of reassurance.  Perhaps she knew what he obviously did not.  But alas, her face betrayed the same oblivious feelings.  She returned my gaze and questioned with her eyes.  But he had no answer.  So they listened.   "Instead tonight we have gathered for a different purpose.  Tonight we indeed honor.  But not the Prince.  No.  Instead we honor his mother and father.  To them we dedicate our joy and to them we present tokens of love in the form of figures for them to dangle from their own tree of celebration upon their return to their own estate.  We know the ones they had were taken by the raging waters.  My good Queen, to you!"   Got some great news last night.  Hutch went down to City Hall and picked up our official, ready to be framed and hung on the wall, long time in coming, one-sixteenth solution completed, Occupancy Permit.  Now we're ready to go full steam ahead with the Grand Opening Weekend scheduled for September 17-19.    If all works out, that Friday will be a ribbon cutting ceremony with local officials.  The time will be determined by when they can come.  Then that Saturday we will have a big open house with everyone who has ever worked on the building or had any touch with Seaside whatsoever invited to come.  (So if that's you, consider this an official invite.  In fact, even if you've never seen the building or been to Galveston before, consider this an official invite).  That Sunday we will have a big dedication and recognition ceremony as part of the morning worship experience, followed by burgers and hot dogs cooked on the school's new outdoor grill.  It promises to be a big deal as far as preparation goes.  Great team in place already, though.  It's exciting, and it's coming.   I spent the night and part of today in Bay City with Chris.  She is still very tired, but it looks more and more like it won't be much longer.  Her Mom is now confined to the bed and a Hospice person is coming out daily to help with bathing and turning her.  Her Dad may be getting closer to accepting what's happening, too, though he refused to allow the hospice chaplain in the house today.  Maybe that's why she has hung on so long – to give him time to work through his grief.  It's sad, but it's coming.   James 5:7-8 says, "Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near."   Father, come on.  Amen.