God's presence

[bruce metcalf]

An experience this weekend reinforced my understanding of God's presence around us !! While at a wedding reception friday night I met a classmate of mine that I hadn't seen since gratuation 40+ yrs. ago!! We struck up a conversation and spent the next hour telling each other how our faith journey has evolved in ways we could never have imagined .. I told him about meeting my wife after several years searching after my divorce and how now we are involved in not only our church but are 1/2 way through Lay school which we both love !! He told of years of being involved in the church on a weekend only timeframe and how now he has been involved in the t.e.e.m program and has a church about 70 miles from us and commutes 2 hrs to attend seminary and still works full time. After ignoring his family for way too long he invited us to visit his church and left !!We casually thought about that possibility and left ourselves!! While out for a meal the next night we meet another realitive of his and the first thing out of their mouths was after such a long absence from each other we really needed to see Davids church and hear him preach.. Two invitations in two nights seemed too much to pass up so sunday morning our normal drive to church was 1 1/2 hrs. longer then normal !!! What we found was a beautiful country church, a delitefull congregation and a friend who has found his true calling !! What started as a adventure to see a classmate doing something I could never imagine him doing,,, ended as we found A man of God leading his flock who together left a much bigger mark on us then we left on them !! With God's help you can "teach an old dog new tricks"!!! Maybe there is help even for me???
all I need to do is follow Gods lead !!!!
bruce