Joe, Erin, Wes, and Kendal showed up today. Erin is Kim’s sister, and I feel like I’ve known her all my life. Joe was one of our first Team XStreamers, the folks who volunteer to lead staff our youth ministry. He and Erin have made a family together, and it’s one of God’s little/great miracles. I love their story.
There’s pretty much nothing that Joe can’t do or fix. He’s a fighter pilot in the USAF. He knows cars and woodworking, plumbing and electrical. And he loves Jesus with a passion that shapes the way he lives.
A lot of guys I get together with want to talk about church or youth ministry or worship or hunting. Joe always wants to talk about what Jesus is doing in my life. Our conversations are full of questions and observations, and sometimes we even talk about answers. But mostly it’s questions about living well.
One of the recurring themes that we talk about is community, and how we (both the generic WE, as well as the specific we) need community to help us follow the lead of our God. Today we hit that topic for a little while, remembering the people who influenced the way we live, noticing the good people we know who struggle to find others to walk with them.
It ought to be the case that we all have someone in our lives who will be honest with us, who will ask the tough questions, and wait in silence for honest answers. We all need someone to listen to us, to kick us in the backside when we need it, or throw their arms around us when it’s the right thing to do.
It’s easy to be too busy for those kind of relationships. Other things prevent us from going beyond the surface…lack of trust, fear, apathy, unwillingness to risk or love…I guess those can be reasons or just plain excuses. Any way you slice it, it’s not good.
I always benefit from my time with Joe.
And, like I said, he can fix anything. Remember that hot water problem we had (scalding hot water from the cold water side?) Done. Joe figured it out, then drove through here on their way to Bedford so he could fix it. A 20 dollar part, some tinkering with the sink, and it’s done. He also installed a thermostatic mixing valve and a check valve in the hot water line so that the water stays at a good temp for the house. I got a lesson on how to solder copper pipe as a bonus.
And there was much rejoicing!
1 Comment
Becky Eveleth · December 23, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Amen and amen on needing community!! Mark and I are convinced that is the crux of the gospel and there is much that tries to hinder us from developing community. Hope your Christmas is completely and wonderfully fulfilling as you spend time with your family.