Fall Success

This has been a great week of reinvigorating of activities and the life of the church for many! The fall season is here! Sunday in worship we had a bunch of people in attendance. It is great to see so many college students making attendance at a church a priority in their lives. Last night (Wednesday) the house was a buzz with people! Kids were coming to their Wednesday night programs and ministries. The youth (lots of them) coming for the fall kick off of tacos, iced coffees, to hang with other youth, and listen to music. Adults came for worship, prayer, and study of God’s Word. This has been a “successful” week! or has it?

It struck me, again, recently how God measures success. I don’t think He measures based merely on numbers of people, although every person that we count – counts to God. So I think He likes lots of people gathering together, but there is more. I think God measures our hearts. Are we, collectively and individually, growing more and more in love with Him and are we more and more learning to love others. As many of you know, there were several of us who worked at the Northland’s Rescue Mission this past week helping to create a setting of beauty through gardens and patios. It was a lot of fun. But here is what happened to me.

As I served, doing something I naturally enjoy, I found my heart getting bigger. I liked the people I was serving alongside (Bonnie, Clayton, Zona, Vince, Myron, Sharon, Cowboy, Freddy, Barley, Todd, Bob, Esaad, and others). I was riding a few days later with one of my kids past the mission. There was someone outside that I recognized so I beeped the horn on my truck. “You find some new friends, dad?” was the “teenage” question asked with a smile in the voice. I just smiled back. But the answer is “yes.” Maybe I can’t truly call them friends, but I do care and if I could go so far as to say I think I love them more had I not taken the time to serve with them. My heart grew when I took the step to serve and to get to know a bit better, and to care. I think that is what God will measure in us as a church…are we loving more?

May you be blessed as you love the Father and love others in Jesus name,

Paul