Friday Night with the Grandkids

“How would you like to come over this evening about 7 and have a few games with your grandkids?” was the question from our daughter here in White Rock BC.  We couldn't resist such a thoughtful invitation.  They were ready when we arrived.  The game was, “Apples to Apples,” which they had bought from some money received as a Christmas present from their uncle and aunt.

We had a wonderful time; actually, it was hilarious.  Everyone was given 5 cards and on each of them was a short description for some word that would be announced to everyone.  The object was to select the best description for the word, from our cards, and then defend our selection, regardless of how unlikely it could be.

It was fun to see and hear our eight-year-old lad describe and illustrate the slowest thing on earth.  He said it was a tightrope walker and that he was painfully slow.  He was so slow that there was more action and excitement in looking at his watch as it ticked away the minutes, than to watch and wait for the tightrope walker to take his next step.  He pretended to be a tightrope walker, carefully taking his time in the heights of the circus tent, where one false move would be his downfall.

I argued with him that the slowest thing was a person washing the dishes, that it might take a day to motivate him or her to undertake the task.  Afterwards, one would wait while he or she ponderously scrubbed each dish and utensil with no enthusiasm.  Our daughter reinforced my argument, saying that when she and her brother were living at home, and he would finally be committed to washing dishes with her, he would suddenly decide that he had to go to the bathroom.  It would be two hours before he would resume his dishwashing obligation.

After that, it was our six-year-old granddaughter’s turn to say there was still something that was slower than a tightrope walker or a person who was asked to do the dishes.  She expounded on her concept of the slowest thing on earth.  Her word was “graduation,” so she said the slowest thing was to graduate.  She stood, illustrating with her arms, telling us that to get an education and to graduate was almost a lifetime proposition.  One had to start in nursery school, proceed to kindergarten, and then to grade one.  She went through all the grades to grade twelve where one would graduate and still have to go on to “universary,” as she called it.  Even after a few years there, the task of reaching graduation would only have begun in earnest.  To the family listening, we didn’t have to be convinced that she had won that round.

Other rounds of the game were played before the kids’ bedtime, and they were equally as hilarious.  Describing the biggest object, the prettiest, or the mightiest, were just as mind-boggling.  The evening was most enjoyable with everyone certain we would soon be having another Friday family game night, to determine the best one at comparing “Apples to Apples.”

Twenty-twenty Vision

Ideas for writing a blog are around us.  We need only to be aware of them.  For instance, after a recent church service, there was an Annual General Meeting, an AGM.  It began with a delicious, light luncheon, and then the meeting.  People were relaxed and happy.  It was certainly a good plan.  An agenda and ballots sat by each plate.

Several Sundays previously, a similar luncheon was held.  Business was discussed but not voted upon.  This was called a Town Hall Meeting.  Intervening weeks permitted everyone to think about the decisions to be made.  One needed only to vote at the AGM.  No arguments ensued.  It was the most pleasant meeting a person could imagine.  Afterwards, people visited with one another before going home.

We’ve heard of church general meetings where people argued, complained and accused others of not doing what was expected of them.  Descriptions of the reactions to it were that their stomachs churned, and that meetings at work were more pleasant.  Here, compliments were given to volunteers in various committees and they were assured of being appreciated.  Their devotion to future work was certain.

The secret of success that makes some churches thrive, while others fail, is in the love that binds one another as it does in a loving family.  Words from Jesus make all the difference.  He said, “Love one another as I have loved you, ” “This do in remembrance of Me,” and, “In as much as you have done this for the least of my brethren, you have done it unto Me.”  His words remind us of His sacrificial love; “love beyond human understanding.”  When we remember His love for us and let it dominate a church’s business meeting, the result is wonderful.

Opportunities in a church present themselves for people to use their unique gifts to serve others.  Many useful ministries abound in a church.  They include distributing food to the needy, teaching Sunday School, managing the nursery, teaching English as a second language, supervising floor hockey, conducting a choir, leading the congregation in praise and worship, teaching a vacation Bible School, maintaining the building and its premises or making special meals on occasion.  The purposes of the church will be sustained in the community for years to come when these passionate people and those who follow them, continue to serve the Lord with the abilities He has given them.

Founding members of this church had considerable foresight.  Theirs can be compared to the excellence of having 20/20 vision, which enables a person to see the distant horizon clearly.  They designed a building to accommodate hundreds and with such fine acoustics that it has been the choice of choirs and orchestras.  They built adequate offices and many classrooms.  The recreation hall was built first and today it has countless uses; so many, that it is difficult to find a convenient time for renovations.  Its use as a fellowship hall has been extended to include community activities such as exercise classes and dinners for seniors.  Daily vacation Bible school accommodates a hundred children during the summer.  Children from the neighbourhood benefit from the expert teaching of caring people.  Young people enjoy indoor-supervised sports in this big hall that was for the church’s first few years, its sanctuary.

One would have to use his or her imagination to think of the many activities in this church and the number of devoted individuals who enable them.  Now, with the year 2020 only 9 years away, today’s committees must also have superb vision to maintain the work begun by the founders and continued.  

Those who head mid-week Bible Studies in their homes provide a ministry that is “the heart-beat of the church.”  Study of Scripture provides strength to the group, while love for one another and caring develops.  Genuine friendships are secure, knowing that Christ loves everyone implicitly.

In all, church provides a convenient place for Sunday worship, while its activities extend throughout the week, to include people who don’t ordinarily go to church.  Friendships develop with those who visit.  Frequently, there are new people who join worship services on Sunday.

God has afforded success in the work of this church, and it is attributable to the foresight comparable to 20/20 vision, of our originating members.  Their sight was so exceptional that they could see into the future, which is now ours, to bring the church’s work to the year 2020 and then beyond.  Not only is the facility outstanding, but the management has been too.  Everyone has been using his or her natural abilities to do the church’s work for the sake of others.  They still are, with their work being done as though it were for God and not for man.

At the helm, gifted pastors have been delivering God’s message from the Scripture, keeping their congregations aware that a church is based on God’s love.  They have been personable leaders, loved by their congregations and have realized that people often see things differently.  With foresight, our pastors have eliminated altercations at meetings by having differences discussed in their pastoral office.  The love of God that permeates the church is wonderfully recognized in those quiet sessions and before worship services, in which prayer is an integral part.  Our church leaders have the necessary 20/20 vision that will carry us well into the year 2020 and then beyond.