It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago that I sat in this very same spot, typing this blog, reflecting on how summer was starting… and here it is: Week 10 of our summer missions. Time certainly does fly by, doesn’t it?
One of my favorite TV shows growing up was SeaQuest and I remember one of the characters saying, “Time flies like the wind. Fruit flies like bananas.” I’ll give you a minute to let that sink in. It’s always stuck with me because time does have a way of passing us by.
I’m thankful for the time we’ve had in missions this summer. I’m grateful for the wonderful summer staff who have made it so enjoyable, certainly not without excitement. I’m thankful for the opportunity to get to know each of them, and to see them be a little stretched and how they’ve grown. It’s going to be (too) quiet here after they leave.
I’m thankful for the neighbors I’ve been able to meet, for this work that allows my path to cross with theirs.
I’m thankful for the work teams that have come through this place – around 750 folks in just 10 weeks. It’s amazing to see the gifts and talents that people bring, to see how they’re challenged to try new things, and to see some of the awesome work that they’ve accomplished.
I’m thankful for the other staff here at Hinton who have been working alongside us, making this whole summer a good one.
When I sat here earlier this summer, thinking about the weeks ahead, it seemed a little overwhelming. Now that I’m on the other side of it, I realize (yet again) how God brings people together to accomplish extraordinary things. The tasks aren’t so daunting when there are many hands at work. The days aren’t so draining when there are others there to lift us up, and offer encouragement and hope when it’s needed. When one of us struggles, we aren’t alone; there are others to nudge us along, helping carry the extra load when needed.
Even in the midst of busyness and sometimes “organized chaos,” we were able to rally together and make what needed to happen, happen.
This summer has reminded me of the scripture from Romans 12:4-5 — For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Has it been easy? Not really. But it has been grace-filled and I’ve seen God at work time and time again.
I hope that I can take to heart the things I’ve seen this summer and continue to live them out – regardless of what situation I’m in. And I hope it can spread like a ripple effect – that others who’ve encountered the holy will spread that out to those they meet… which then can continue to spread.
