I relearned a lesson on January 26.
That day was a Sunday. It was the second of our seven "Escalator of Congregational Improvement" Sundays in which we looked at scriptures from the perspective of what they said to us as a congregation - not just to us as individuals.
It got off to a glorious start with a service in which our joy was magnified by the opportunity to be a part of the baptism of Violette Willmart, Carol and Ken's seven and a half month old granddaughter.
And shortly after the service, Marge and I hopped into an already packed automobile and skipped out of town. [Now, if anyone is challenged by the image of me hopping and skipping, please remember that that is only a figure of speech - we were in a car, after all.]
We were headed for Burlington for a few days of actual vacation, rest, and head clearing. I needed that vacation. I was discouraged by a few things and worn out by many. And so, I needed to be away from Potsdam for a chance to think of myself in ways other than just the pastor of this church. I wanted to read for reading's sake - not to prepare for any service or meeting. I wanted to put puzzles together for they take my mind off other thoughts while relaxing me rather than wearing me out.
Why Burlington? Because we could not find the accommodations that we wanted in Plattsburgh. You see, I am an early riser. Marge is not. [Of course I often fall asleep at the time nine year olds go to bed and she stays up like an normal adult.] Because of our different clocks, we have learned throughout the years that rest comes more easily if we stay in an affordable suite. The ones in Plattsburgh did not meet our needs. And so, we chose Burlington even though it was a longer drive than we originally had hoped.
We did see a silver lining in the cloud that caused us to stay farther away. I made note of that about the time we crossed Lake Champlain and entered Vermont, "At least it is less likely that we will run into anyone we know." [Remember, that as much as we love you, the purpose of the trip was to get away from everyone, before returning refreshed.]
However, as I was pushing the luggage cart through the doors of our hotel, I was stopped by a young woman who said, "You married me and my husband in Potsdam!"
There I was - not even in the hotel, although the luggage on the front of the cart was - and I had already run into someone that knew me. So much for the anonymity I was expecting!
As I talked to Jennifer, I learned that her mother in law had had a stroke and was in Fletcher-Allen. I expressed my concern and promised to pray for her mother in law, but I did not think to ask her name.
That evening, after we had returned from dinner, our first evening of rest was disturbed by a knock on the door to our room. It was the desk clerk. He said he was delivering a note from a parishioner. I took the note and discovered it was from Barb Scott and she was staying in the same hotel because Joanne Hazelton (her daughter) had had, "like Jennifer's mother in law" a stroke and was in Fletcher-Allen.
I was stunned.
My first thought was, of course, concern for Joanne and Barb.
Then, however, I started to wonder if Marge and I were staying in "Potsdam East." And finally, I could not figure out how in the world Barb had known that I was there. If she had tried to get in touch with me, someone would have given her my cell number. No one other than Adam knew in which hotel we were staying.
Finally I connected the dots. Joanne was not only Barb's daughter, but also Jennifer's mother in law. I went upstairs to pray with Barb, Jennifer, and Shane (Joanne's son/Jennifer's husband). On Monday morning (and again on Wednesday) we visited Joanne in the hospital and prayed with her as well.
We still had our vacation. We read, we put puzzles together, we ate out, and we even did a little shopping. When we returned, I was refreshed, reinvigorated, and renewed. I was glad to be home with you.
But the highlight of our trip was exactly the part of it that we neither planned nor expected: being there for Joanne and her family and understanding that God had once again placed us in the right place - and at the right time.
You would think that I wouldn't need a reminder that God does that, but I did and I don't think that it was a coincidence that this lesson was given to me when I was discouraged and questioning myself.
Likewise, I do not think it was a coincidence that my reminder came during the series of scriptures that address us as a congregation. All of us need that lesson. We need it as individuals, but we need it just as much as a congregation.
The lesson I received on January 26 is a reminder that God has put all of us together, despite - no, because of - our differing ideas and ways of doing things. What we all need to remember is that each one of us is here at the right time and the right place.
Jim