Passing the Gavel

This week I presided over my last board meeting. I've served as the president for my state association for the past year and I've written much about the travel it required. Will I miss it? Yes and no. I will miss the travel. I can say that it helped remove a barrier that I had erected years ago and I am thankful that I feel free to venture out again. 

However, even as a volunteer, it's tough being in charge of such a large group. We had over 700 members this year and many changes were made. I feel like it was a good year, a good experience, and I did the absolute best job I could do. 

Colossians 3:23-24 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 

It felt good last Tuesday when I banged the gavel for the last time and passed it to our new association president. I'll never regret taking the role because it was a great experience, but I find that I'm am relieved to be known as simply a past-president.

My Cloud

Yesterday was the first Saturday since early May that I had a free day to devote to yard work. There was an overgrown flower garden, with more grass than flowers, a yard to mow and weed-eating that was a month past due. After the hot, humid week we had, I was not looking forward to working outside. So, I got up early (for a Saturday) and was outside working by 7:30 a.m.

The temperature was pleasant and I got to work. For 5 and a half hours I worked pulling weeds. It got much warmer, but there were nice breezes all morning. Each time I noticed a strong breeze I said aloud, "Thank you for the breeze." Those breezes really kept me going.  

I took a lunch break and had a short visit with my parents. It was time to tackle mowing and weed-eating. It was 4 p.m. and usually one of the hottest times of the day. The breezes were dying out a bit, but as soon as I got on the mower a rather large cloud drifted over. It was unusual because I could see blue skies to the west and my yard was completely shaded. I kept watching the cloud thinking it would float away. After 30 minutes, it was still above me. At that time I started calling it 'My Cloud' and chose to believe it was placed there just for me.

Psalm 105:39 He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light in the night.

After an hour and a half, my job was done. My Cloud covered me the entire time. When I put away the mower, the sun began to break through. I was so thankful that God kept me cool all day.

Winter

I combined a working trip with vacation last week and spent a few days in Florida at St. Pete Beach. The family and I had a wonderful time enjoying the beach, the food and the sights. One of our best days was spent in Clearwater at the Marine Aquarium, which is the home of a rather famous dolphin. Winter, the subject of a movie "Dolphin Tale", lost her tail at three months old after becoming entangled in a crab trap line. She now wears a prosthetic tail a few hours each day to assist with swimming. Here is her story: http://www.seewinter.com/winter.

Matthew 15:31 So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.

It was quite amazing to see Winter swimming with her prosthetic tail. It was as if she was whole again. I imagine that we will be even more amazed when we arrive in heaven and see how an infinite God can make all things new and all things whole.