I flew and drove madly for a week for a little “vacation.” On the way out, I spoke to our lawyer in some airport (don’t you love cell phones?). On the way back, Ben called me while I was in the Phoenix airport to offer a ride home from the airport (don’t you love children?). In between I drove through Friday traffic in LA, came to a stop in Oxnard (!), drank champagne in the Firestone Vineyards, ate a Danish sandwich in Solvang, and sweated to 112-degree heat (but it is a “dry heat” they kept saying). And we saw my mother and Gwen’s parents 79, 79 and 85. It is nice to see everyone, but I don’t really miss the West.
One of the things I did miss while in the West was you. I went to an old church filled with lovely old friends last Sunday and I could not help comparing. Here’s what you have that they don’t: 1) a surprising depth of community (the cells are so important!), 2) a sense of what we’re doing together (they were just doing what they always do), 3) youth, 4) enough anarchy to let people get moving in the direction God is moving them, 5) the inspiration to develop that having more people coming through the door demands, 6) dialogue (I forgot that most churches don’t talk too much), 7) technological savvy, 8 ) lot’s of music (and many kinds of it).
It is not that the other church was “bad.” It was certainly good enough to make me thankful for what I have been given! It made me want to dash home and say “Thank you!” to every person who makes us who we are with such passion and devotion. Thanks, especially, to the Cell Leaders, Cell Leader Apprentices and each Host/ess. It is truly amazing that Jesus found 40 teams of three (presently) to extend the kingdom of God face-to-face like we do. I’m glad to be back.
When I step out of our community even for a little bit I really begin to notice how blessed I am. Our community is church-body is very special. I forget that a lot.