The Yucky Stuff

Well, it finally happened...I got the flu that had been going around our house.  Isaac started it, passed it to Tracy, then Alex, and just when I thought I was in the clear wham-mo.  Isaac and I got it the worst of course, so I'm sitting at home today recovering and thinking about the Yucky stuff...not only the flu, but some of the yucky stuff we're asked to do in life.
When I'm talking about the yucky stuff I'm talking about more then cleaning up after your kids when they just don't make it to the bathroom in time!  Thanks Tracy for keeping the streak intact and taking another one for the team.  What I mean about yucky stuff is all the behind the scene work that goes into making life, and more specifically our church work.  You know, the behind the scenes stuff, the stuff that needs to be done but no one likes to do...the stuff you hardly ever get thanked for.  Without someone willing to do the yucky stuff in our church life we would struggle to get as much done as a church family as we do.  Think about the planning that goes into making sure we have lunch for the church sale or any dinner we host.  How about the cleaning of the church, the refilling of the candles, the hanging of the banners, the making of desserts, the volunteering for children's sermon and church, the million other things that people step up and take care of without the thought of a thanks.
We as a church family are very good at stepping up when the need arises.  We just completed another successful church auction and we've met the challenges of VBS and Sunday school and various other offerings our church has.  I know I can't name everyone I'd like to thank, so I'm just going to say thank you to all who do the yucky stuff that holds our church together.
Now, just because we do have a good cast of characters who do the yucky stuff doesn't mean we couldn't do better.  We're entering into the time of the year when positions on certain boards are going to need to be filled.  Please prayerfully consider saying yes when called to serve.  Also, we can always use more help with activities and pretty much anything else that is happening around the church.  I know the yucky stuff isn't fun and glamorous all the time, but it is necessary and it is fulfilling work.  So, I challenge you to step up and do volunteer for one more thing this coming year in the church life.  Serve on a board, volunteer to help with an upcoming dinner, volunteer for a children's sermon or children's church, and let's see if we can't continue to grow our church family.

Hope

I can't wait for tomorrow...all of the robo calls and letters and political ads will be over, at least for 2 years or maybe 1 year...well at least for awhile.  Man, if half of that money were used for education, food banks, infrastructure, but I digress.  I'm not here to whine about the election and the 24 hr news cycle.  I'm here to talk about a word that I think we all need to focus on a little more...hope.
I watch a television show on cable called "The Walking Dead."  It is a story about a zombie apocalypse and a group of people trying to survive.  The show isn't for the faint of heart, and in its third season it is going strong.  After watching this past episode I think I might be done with the show.  The show never has a good ending.  There is no hope for the living in the show.  I can predict each episode...survivors find safe place, zombies find survivors and another member of the group dies.  The only thing that changes is the scenes are getting more and more gory.  I know what you're saying..."It's a zombie apocalypse show what do you expect?"  I guess what I expect, what I need to keep me engaged, is some hope.  I need to see the survivors have a good day once.  I need to feel that there is going to be light at the end of  the tunnel.  I don't get that from this show and I don't think I can stomach it anymore.
We need hope in our lives too.  With the election coming up very shortly you hear doom and gloom scenarios from each side if they lose.  One thing I can predict about the election is that for a lot of people the "right" person isn't going to win.  So does that mean for those people who's candidate doesn't win there is no hope?  The country is in a free fall to nothing?  I don't believe that... no matter if the person I vote for wins or not.  You see my hope isn't in this world.  I know that there is more to this life then politics, career, pain, suffering, etc.  This life is temporary.  Of course I want my time on earth to be as comfortable and joyful as possible, but I also know everything will pale in comparison to eternity with Jesus. 
I guess what I'm trying to say is we have hope.  When we begin to believe there is no hope then life becomes too much to stomach.  There is hope even when life might be tough right now.  Hope for better days and a hope that stems from the promises of God to never leave your or forsake you.  So when the next president is decided, when life throws you the next curve ball, when you begin to think that life is in a downward spiral remember you have someone willing to cry and suffer with you.  You have a savior that has been through much more than you and truly knows how you feel.  Remember that there are friends, family, and a community that is ready and willing to help walk with you through the dark times if  you'll reach out and let them.  Remember...we have hope that this life is temporary and better days are truly ahead.