In Celebration of Sea Glass

A few weeks ago, I teased my wife from the stage at our church about her fetish to collect Sea Glass.  I went on and on about how boring it is, that someone else's trash is her treasure - you know, the fun digging that only a loving, considerate and sensitive husband can get away with.  Well, unbeknownst to me, the Director of the Cayucos Sea Glass Festival (the largest festival in the country, I'm told) was in the audience, as was her administrator and our amazing bass player Jeff - the epitome of a sea glass enthusiast.  When I was informed of my blunder(s), I walked over to  them and bowed, apologized and felt like a complete dunce as the congregation enjoyed a serious belly laugh at this dope they call their Pastor - seriously, I'm still trying to get out of the dog house with my Tami over this idiotic display of stupidity called an attempt at humor.

Well, Tuesday's are a date night for Tami and I, so, I did the husband thing and went sea glassing (don't tell my buddies - please, the last time I attempted this hobby I was razzed for weeks on end...) two days ago... guess what?  It wasn't too bad, I had a great time with my gal and, I actually had a spiritual epiphany regarding collecting brown, white, clear, red, blue, and yellow sea glass.  As I attempted to act like I was enjoying the moment, each piece of glass that I picked up began speaking to me.  NO - not verbally, but my mind began to consider the plight of each piece and all of a sudden I realized that each and every piece of sea glass, regardless of color, size, shape or ethnicity (... come on, give me a little artist liberty, will ya?), had the same characteristics.  Check it out, they all were:

·       broken

·       isolated

·       lonely

·       and, worthless

As I thought about it, metaphorically, we as people can be likened unto to sea glass.  We've all broken at one time or another and forced into isolation because of the pain, hurt and wounds of life.  This further exasperates us into an existence of loneliness because we're considered worthless, from an internal perspective and even external, from people, at times.  However, when Christ, The Great Sea Glass Collector, comes to the sands of our life - He searches and with intention and resolve looks to collect us, desires to mend our brokenness, without question He embraces our isolation, wholeheartedly welcomes our lonely state and, are you ready: He takes the worthlessness of us and not only makes us something beautiful, He shows off His find, called you and I, for all of creation to see!  Wow, pretty amazing - can I have an amen? 

When I take the time to consider how privileged I am and how totally blessed I am to be considered His child, my mind spins iout of control with appreciative gratitude.  The following verse is my new sea glass verse:

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." Matthew 13:44

This evening, before you retire, look up and thank God He considered you worthy to find you on that beach of brokenness, isolation, loneliness and worthlessness in order to give you life, give you purpose, give you forgiveness, give you love - and on and on and on!  Never forget, you're His treasure, His very own, if you will, beautiful find!  Blessings...

Do unto others

I was in the badger state again, being trained, equipped to become a more effective leader, a more relevant communicator and a more passionate Pastor.  You see, I'm completing a two year journey called Christian Excellence in Congregational Leadership at Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, Wisconsin.  And, to be candid, I've come to love this place: from the cheese curds, to the Packer fans; from the really cool accents these folks have to the genuine kindness these mid-westerners possess; and from the beauty of the land to the world famous custard from Leon's - it's truly an awesome state. Just outside my room, less than a football field in length, was this view:

Not to shabby, hah?  Well, when we showed up last week, we were really late and ran into the dining hall to see if we could grab a bite to eat before our first session - we missed it and all agreed spending the day in Chicago three hours south was worth the risk of not eating dinner.  As we proceeded to check into our rooms, this dear lady ran up and said, "Gentlemen, come back and sit down; dinner is being prepared!"  From the looks of the 500 seat room, they had already cleaned, vacuumed, mopped and began preparing for the next days business.  We told her that it wasn't necessary to feed a bunch of overweight 50 year olds and that we'd be fine; she insisted and with that look of I'm here to serve you, ushered us back into the dining hall and sat us down like we were royalty.  Now, you might think she acted this way because that's what she gets paid for, she was just doing her job, etc.  Not so, this gal was genuine and authentic in her desire to make us feel like we were really important.

The next day, as I was running along the lake shore the during a lunch break, I reflected on this servants example and I identified at least five really cool characteristics that she exemplified that really spoke to my heart:

• Kindness second to none - her eyes and smile spoke tenderness
• Service above self - it was clear that life wasn't about her
• Compassionate courtesy - yes, more than mid-westerner charm
• Totally cool - she even told us she was a Milwaukee Brewer fan
• Excessive Happiness - her belly laugh proved her inward joy

Seriously, this was all the training, lectures and workshops I needed; this lady not only lived the Golden Rule, she was the Golden Rule!  Well, later in the week, during another run along the shore at Green Lake, as I was listening to my I-Pod, I began to evaluate my life, my treatment of others, etc., in light of this gal's example.  Sad to say with all candor, I fall so short and have so much to learn in comparison to this saint (I'm sure I would have told the late comers they missed dinner and it might be a good idea next time to wear a watch).  As I was getting into my run, I asked myself how did she do it?  Why did she do it?  After a few miles, I came to the conclusion that she simply treats each person as a valuable guest, a creation of God that is worthy of her respect.  When I think of this incident, and I do often, I'm reminded of some lyrics from one of my favorite Christian bands; they goes like this:

Let the songs I sing bring joy to You

Let the words I say ‘fess my love

Let the notes I choose be your favorite tune

Father let my heart be after You

Father let my heart be after You

You know, this lady at Green Lake Conference Center personifies these lyrics and she lives with intention to please her Father (Heavenly...).  As I close, my hope and prayer is that I can glean from this lady's life and incorporate her way into how I treat others.  For you, my hope and prayer is the same - consider the lyrics, consider the gal from Wisconsin and, consider your treatment of others.  Remember what my favorite Rabbi said some 2,000 years ago, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!"