Passive "ings"

It has been a while and here is the deal with the Land Fam.

Church is awesome. It is cold. The tops of the mountains got snow-dusted this weekend. Most of us played with getting sick last week but only Amy and Emily actually did. They are fine now. We really really want to sell our house in Katy. Please Lord. But we must remain patient (I hate that).

This holiday time has forced me to really be creative and patient with what to do with the Student Minstry here at Grace. People are around less, students and leaders. And here is the lesson the Lord is teaching...

But first, a story...I was 18 and on my way with a packed 1983 Chevy Blazer to Texas A&M to start my college life. I could not have been more excited. All of the possibilities, freedoms, experiences lay ahead of me, 120 miles down the road. I was flying up Highway 21 way too fast until I came upon two cars, side by side, doing the unthinkable: the speed limit. How dare they inflict their moral and legal consciousness upon my 18 year old, impatient, impetuous life! I tailgated, they did not move. I changed lanes. Nothing. I could not pass. Finally, in a burst of emotion and fuel, I swerved into the oncoming lane and attempted to pass both cars at the same time. Problem: we were entering a sharp left curve in the road so I could not see theoretical oncoming traffic. Problem: I'm in a blazer, not known for its burst of speed. Problem: I'm an idiot. After a few harrowing seconds that seemed much longer, I did end up passing those vehicular barriers and dead-man's curve. I was settled nicely into my lane with no cars ahead of me and it all became clear. That was so moronic. I literally risked my life (and my stuff) in an effort to get to college a few minutes faster. And for what? What was I going to do in those precious few seconds? Nothing. I had nothing planned. Nowhere to go. It was just impatience and pride. Those two culprits play the tandem to induce and inflict so much potential harm on me.

Which leads me to the right here and now. At home and at Grace those two culprits entice me to move, change, create and run in speeds and directions that are unhealthy. I want to have everything, my family, my house, this ministry, staff, students...everything.....I want it all settled and on cruise control right now. Right Now! But this is not reality. It isn't healthy. It isn't realistic. It is time to taste and see that the Lord is good. It is time to sit at the hearth of relationship building and breathe, talk, listen, pray, enjoy. To build the roots and trust that the fruits are the Lord's responsibility. To enjoy my wife, my kids, the staff and students. Yes, I really want to have my house sold and be solid here and now. But what I need is to be trained in the lost art of sitting, waiting, enjoying, listening, learning and a bunch of other passive "ings".

Brian