The Big Event

Saturday is the big day, and I’m going to miss it!

Our church is busy preparing for our annual chicken & noodle dinner & bazaar. Always a fun and busy time! Hundreds of people stop by to eat, visit, and laugh with us. As with any project like this, it takes lots and lots of help. We’ve met monthly to make the noodles (over 100 dozen eggs worth!); others have been baking and making crafts for sale. But the biggest work is this weekend, of course; setting up, pricing, cooking, serving, selling tickets, cutting pies, making coffee… and cleaning up.

Even though I am a “hands-on” kind of guy, I have never helped with the serving. My role has always been to visit with people as they come in, hob-nob with folks we see once a year. In a sense, I am the face of Whetstone to our visitors. Our church folks don’t mind (as long as I help with the clean up), and I think it is fun. I love the whole event, including the “victory dinner” after church the next day with the left-overs.

So why am I going to miss it? I’ll be 2 hours north speaking at a youth retreat. Janet Fleck asked me months ago to join her at “FaithQuest”. Since she came to church camp with me, I thought it was only fair. Of all the weekends in the fall, it happened to hit Whetstone Bazaar.

Why didn’t I graciously back out? Several reasons. One, we have a terrific Youth Minister who can step up in my absence. Dan is more than able to be the “face of Whetstone” – he’s even tall, making him stand out in the crowd. Two, I know the event will run like a well-oiled machine, just like always. But more importantly, after praying about it this seemed the right thing to do.

This is a prayer that started last Fall. I was praying that God would give me the chance to go back to India soon. Then I began to wonder, why am I praying this? And the answer came, because I have seen God work so powerfully there. Last time I was there, the Colts played in the Superbowl and I missed the game - but I didn't miss it at all, because it seemed that a much larger contest was being played out right before my eyes, and God was winning a spiritual victory! Sure, God is at work everywhere all the time; but there are times and places where it seems so much more evident. So I changed my prayer. Instead of praying to go to India, I began praying that God would put me in those times and places. When Janet called back in March, a light went on that this would be one of them.

So, I will sadly but gladly miss the Chicken-Noodle dinner this year. It is possible for our heart to be in two places at the same time. Meanwhile, I eagerly anticipate seeing the Holy Spirit work in the hearts of these youth. I would still like to go back to India, but more than anything I want to be involved with what God is doing. What an honor and privilege that He allows us to take part.