Snow Going

"Honor your father and mother" from the Ten Commandments

Yesterday we had a little snow, about six or eight inches. And we canceled church. Justifiably so, it was a white out--with the forecast for worsening conditions. My father, who is retired, serves a little church in Berlin NH, while they are "between pastors." They have been for more than two years now. It snowed fourteen inches in Berlin.

They had church. And the Sunday School Pageant, too. I guess years of being the coldest place in New England (save for Mt Washington) has built up their resistance to snow. As for my dad, he and my mom traveled up from Ctr Tuftonboro Saturday evening and stayed in a hotel--making the trip to St. Paul's on Sunday morning. "It was only three inches on the road then," he told me this afternoon, as if that were nothing! "But it was worse getting back to the hotel after four hours at church," he added. God bless him. And thasnk God for giving them safe passage through the snows!

My dad's old school--meaning that his call from God is the priority in his life. His commitment to this church is as strong as if he were their called pastor. He tends their sick, calms their fear and anger over the lack of pastoral candidates, and he preaches and administers the sacrament--all at an age near twice mine. Oh Lord, give me just a measure of his spirit!

Give it to all of us. If we were all as committed to Christ as my dad, well, we'd be where God wants us to be. Putting Christ first, serving him, loving him and his people. Standing ready for his return. ready and willing and able. Even if there's fourteen inches of snow and ice on the road!

Today I honor my father (and mother too--she's a cool lady!) for his responsiveness to God's call. In Advent I look to him to see what I should be doing to make room for Christ in my heart.

Father God, thank you for role models to mentor us, and for the ministry of my dad and other rostered retired leaders. Help St. Paul's to find the pastor that is out there for them. Raise up that leader and bring him or her to this flock. Keep them together and eager while they wait--both for a pastor, and for your Son, Jesus. In his name we pray. AMEN