hoodwinked, george bailey, and my birthday

My friends pulled a fast one on me yesterday.  We had been planning to dine with Aaron and Jess.  Aaron’s a fantabulous chef, and I was hoping for some of his legendary profiteroles.  At the last minute he texted with a change in plans, and we ate at Luna2, a new restaurant in State College, where Aaron works.  No big deal.

Toward the end of the meal, I got a call from my pastor.  Dan is famous for running out of gas, but this time the call was for a dead battery.  Could I come give him a jump?  Sure, see you at the church in a few minutes.

When we pulled in to the parking lot, I noticed a lot of cars, which is unusual for a Friday night.  Turns out that there was a “Celebrate Stacy and Kim” party planned.  We’ve been in youth ministry for 20 years, the last 11 here at Calvary.  With our transition out of youth ministry, our friends wanted to say thanks.

I had no idea what was going on!  I mean, we were totally surprised!  I’ve never seen a surprise party pulled off so well.

There were some of my local youth pastor buddies, tons of folks who have served with us in ministry, and lots of friends from the community and Calvary.  There were even some video greetings from folks who couldn’t make it to State College for the party!  And the things they said blew me away.  And they even gave me some gifts to help me transition from youth pastor to “real” pastor!

I’m not sure that I totally recognized the guy they were describing.  Most of them have seen me at my worst–discouraged, self-defeated, pessimistic, and grumpy.  But the things they shared were inspiring; they made me want to be a better ME!  They talked about the good stuff that they see in me, the times when I’ve gotten it right, the ways that God has used me to encourage and help them.  They shared stories that made me laugh, some that made me cry, words that touched my heart and reminded me that God is faithful.  I have been blessed to work with some of the best people in the world, in a setting unlike any other that I know of.

At the end, Dan read the words he wrote for my original commissioning as the youth pastor here, and asked if I would re-commit myself to them now. Then lots of people prayed over us.

I almost lost it when Levi prayed. You want to talk about a full heart? Have your son thank God for you in prayer…

They know me–the real me, the true me.  And I don’t think that they’re blind to my faults.  I believe that they have latched on the Peter’s words from 1 Peter 4:8–

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other,
for love covers a multitude of sins.

Loving someone doesn’t mean that you ignore all their junk.  It doesn’t mean that you turn a blind eye to their faults.  But it sure does mean that you get past those things, seeing beyond who they are right now to who they are becoming.

In the front of the book that Clarence gives to George Bailey in It’s A Wonderful Life are these words: No man is a failure who has friends.

I am a man with friends, and I was shown that in the most convincing manner last night.

This morning was my birthday, btw.  42 years old…Sadie was so excited to mastermind the preparation of breakfast in bed!  She even made me the most delicious omelet!  It’s been a great weekend, and we haven’t even finished yet!