In the course of my work this week, I had the opportunity to look back and read an old message I delivered, only a couple months into my pastorate here at Timberville.  I typically don’t read my own work for a myriad of reasons, but something pulled me to read not just a snippet of it, but the whole thing.  I’m thankful that I did.

As I read the words, I could recall the time and situation in which they were delivered.  As I continued to read, I was amazed by what was on my screen.  My gosh had God been faithful to me while writing that message.  I thanked God as I went through it that I had been listening well enough to string such wonderful words together.  I guess that’s how it is every week.  God gives me words and I pray that I’m listening well enough to receive them.  So, if you ever sit through a clunker, you know that sermon was written without my ears and heart open.

Another thought as I read the message came in the form of a question, “Why do I only see these things in hindsight?” Seriously, what is it about my relationship with God that I don’t see it while it’s happening?  Our adult Sunday School class has talked about this from time to time and we still search for a way to not just realize God’s work in the moment, but to be thankful in that moment as well.

Truth be told, I might have come as close as ever this week to seeing it and thanking God for it in the moment instead of well after the fact.  We have a special service coming up on the 31^st and a collaborative message takes a little more time and effort to put together.  Pastor Rebecca certainly doesn’t need to be squeezed into my regular sermon writing timeline (whenever the Spirit strikes me).  God knew I was anxious about that and that for once in my life, I really wanted to work a full week ahead.  He had already given me this coming Sunday’s sermon by Wednesday and so Thursday I thought I would take a peek at May 24^th.   I already knew it was Pentecost, but had no idea what the Scripture might say to me.  In a flash, a dozen resources were pulled, read and notes were taken.  Seemingly even quicker, my fingers were banging away at the keyboard.  The Lord had condensed a week’s worth of work into just a few hours.  As I finished, all I could do was bow my head and say “thank you.”  Thank you for your faithfulness, for your provision and for helping my distracted self sit and listen long enough to hear you and to receive your gifts.

At the end of most services, I am out in the foyer to shake hands and tell people to have a good week.   Occasionally, someone will come through the line and say something complementary about the sermon.  For those of you who are kind enough to do so, it might be more appropriate to say, “good job listening this week.”