Toasting the Summer
Here's to another summer of ministry in Boston. Sarah and I raised high our marshmallows and doughboys tonight in celebration of this recently ended season of our lives called the "Summer Missions Program." As we reflect on the bittersweetness of this transition into a more peaceful, cooler, and calmer time of year, we are grateful. Grateful for all the amazing ways God "showed up," grateful for the things we've learned, and yes, grateful that the summer is over.
For me, this summer was beautiful. We saw at least three teenagers give their lives to Jesus Christ, and several more are within an arm's reach of our Father (their arm, not His). We saw residents of our neighborhood cared for in simple projects like painting a front porch or weeding a garden. We saw teenagers come alongside seniors dealing with loneliness and, and begin to understand their role in showing the "good news" that God cares for each and every person.
As Sarah and I reflected, we were also struck by how God honored my commitment to put my family first. While I spent less time in the actual operation of the program this year than in any of my previous 7 summers, God continued to work (shocking, huh?). Honestly, it causes me to check my pride when I step out and everything still continues on without me. Sometimes I can imagine that this or that will fall apart, or even that God will not work as powerfully without my input. How ridiculous. I am thankful that He gave me the desire and opportunity to spend more time with my family, and for showing me what He can do without my help.
In the coming weeks, I will try to post more stories and reflections from the summer. It's not easy to summarize these dozen weeks of our lives.
