Even in the midst of a drought, which I think we are still in or not far removed from, sometimes it still pours. Or put theologically, when we allow God to reign in us, God pours blessings upon us. Last weekend the blessings were reigning and raining. On Saturday, Trevor, Michelle, Madeleine and I met up here as the children's choir from Floral Heights arrived to practice for their Sunday performance of "Simon Sez." For Michelle and I it was fun to see folks again, and be amazed at how much the kids had grown after a year. Saturday evening Michelle and I attended a performance by the Richardson Symphony at First UMC Richardson of Beethoven's first and ninth symphonies. We got to see my mother sing in the chorus as the choirs from Highland Park and First Richardson sang the choral parts. Then of course Sunday dawned and we had a jammed packed day with the three worship services, confirmation brunch, the "Simon (Peter) Sez" performance during the second service, the confirmation service at 11:30, a lunch for the Floral Heights kids, the consecration of Christ Foundry, and the Spring Recital dinner and performance.
As with the wet kind of rain, it's best if we can spread it throughout the summer, but you take it when you can get it. Last weekend there were so many blessings, that even when they come on top of each other and make for a long Sunday, it is best and we are blessed when we accept them as they come. Among the many blessings of Sunday, I was particularly blessed during the 10:15 service when Doug had the Sunshine Singers, the Floral Heights Children, and the children from our Sunday school classes who were attending the service stand up at the front and sing Jesus Loves Me. At that moment I thought, "this is what it's all about" as we witnessed children of God of different ages from different places singing one of, if not the, most significant songs of faith. During the confirmation service as I had the honor to be a part of God baptizing four new members of Christs Church as well as three young adults accept the baptism vows made for them and claim for themselves the name of Christian and disciple of Jesus Christ, I again thought "this is what it's all about." As I stood at the grounds of the newest Mission in the United Methodist Church and heard the Word of God expressed in Spanish and English, and saw the smiles on so many faces of children and adults to whom this mission will serve I thought, "this is what it's all about." As I saw the two Christ UMC buses, driven by Christ UMC members, shuttling people between Walnut Hill UMC and Christ Foundry, and as I saw the name Christ UMC Farmers Branch on the dedication plaque as one of the early sponsor churches, I thought "this is what we're all about." As I enjoyed playful conversation and breaking bread together as a church family prior to the Recital, and as I saw so many people, blessed by God with musical talent and willing to spend the time perfecting talent and performing, I thought again, "this IS what ministry is all about."
Lest I forget, this weekend was also an ASP lock-in as youth and adult leaders planned and prepared for the wonderfully meaningful ASP trip coming this summer, AND, the Prime Timers went to the Gaither Concert Saturday, AND the Christ 4 Kids had an Garage Sale to raise funds for supplies and scholarships. All in all, I would say it was a pretty good, make that great, weekend.
I began listing everyone I wanted to lift up and thank who gave up parts or most of their weekend to coordinate and or participate in all of these activities. I quickly discovered that to do so would make this "Reckoning" way too long, and I would leave out too many people. That said, I do want to thank Dan and Cyndy Roark for coordinating, preparing, and serving the confirmation brunch and the recital supper on Sunday. Suffice it to say I do thank everyone who made this weekend so special. Yes it was tiring, like exercising does for our body, it did our spirits good.

Kenny