BLOOMIN'

So much is blooming, nearly three weeks early. I have a tulip blooming, hyacinths have been blooming, and now the bradford pear trees on the tree lawns are blooming white which contrasts so beautifully with the very green lawns. It is so amazing to see things awakening from winter's slumber. It's been so warm, in the 80's, that I have had to pull out summer things and put on sandals without hose in March!! Everything is coming to life!
After being shell-shocked in a church council meeting that the church is up for funding and has a candidate in mind for redevelopment of the congregation, I was taken aback. This should have been shared with me before the meeting. I took it somewhat in stride.
Then a meeting with a denominational office representative, who shared a process for transformation, which the church can begin now. And the bombshell, that what looked like a done deal may not be quite so done - the funding is less than expected and the church does not have the money to make
up the rest to call the redevelopment person. They were shell-shocked and extremely disappointed.
I was nonplussed. I had begun again my anxiety of being unemployed once more and was counting up the things for which I would no longer be responsible and made the way to trusting once again that God would provide something new for me.
Then on the ride home from that second meeting, I was filled with an idea for how to welcome a sister spanish-speaking congregation who will be
sharing space in the church and thinking of all that I will yet need to do.
I could almost hear God saying, "You weren't happy about ending your short interim (more like supply pastor) early and now you're going on about all that might yet challenge you while you are here a bit longer. Is there any pleasing you?!!!?"
I don't know what all will transpire. I have come to place where it is God's will not mine as to how long I will be at this church. I do what I can one day a week, but it isn't easy. It's hard to pick up the pulse and truly know what is being said and thought when I am just there one day a week and Sat/Sun for services. However, I will stay as long as God needs me to stay and leave when God says it is time. I have learned to enter and leave as graciously as possible.
In the meanwhile, the denominational office seems please at my idea to offer welcome to this sister congregation and I am learning to be content with things whichever way they work out.
Even as I see new life bursting out all around me, I pray for the new life of this congregation and yes, my own. My the gift of new and vibrant life come to you in all its glory and grace.