OnFire Encouragement Letter

Sept 3, 2008

Hi Folks:

Its good to be back writing again after a very eventful summer. We changed churches in July and moved to Moncton NB where I am the Pastor of Family Ministries at Highfield Baptist Church. That would have been enough change, but on Aug 3, both boys were hospitalized with e-coli 0157. Mark spent 5 days in hospital, while Ian spent 21 days. That was very traumatic for us, but thankfully there were lots of people praying. I would say Mark has made a full recovery. Ian is in the 90% range, lacking only in stamina.

After Ian was released, we then had the task of unwinding from the crisis while I continued working into my new position. And then this week school started again. Its been kind of a whirlwind and I think we can say it is a summer we’ll never forget.

I’m just beginning to process the whole experience. While I’ve walked with people through crisis, I found it very different on this side of the divide. It is much easier to listen, pray, and then walk out to my car to go home. It is tons harder to be on the receiving end of pastoral care.

I think the hardest was when Jan and I traded places in Halifax because I had to leave Ian in the hospital. While I was with him I felt some comfort from being present, at least to help in the small things. I felt like I was doing something to protect him. While I was away, it didn’t feel right, even though it was necessary to get the house back in order for his eventual return. The feeling came back when I visited later. As I drove away, I was pouring out my heart to God that I really wanted my child home with us. How long? I asked.

I think I’ll call this the summer of the meltdown. Not nuclear meltdown, but butter. Normally hard and firm, it goes soft and loses its shape when the temperature goes up. I feel like we lost our shape for a while. Life is slowly coming back to some sort of normal, but even this week it is warping again with the return to school. The boys are adjusting to life in this new place and both have had their meltdown moments.

About a year ago, I thought I sensed God telling me, “Get ready.” For what, I did not know. As the call to this new church unfolded, I thought that’s what God meant. I think instead it was a call to hold on to Him. We have certainly learned the truth of Psalm 27:13-14. These verses became the anchor of our hope. “I am still confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (NIV)

At the beginning of this trouble, I thought perhaps I’d come out of this with something more profound to say, some deep theological insight into the nature of suffering and endurance. I still don’t know about that part, but I do know we got  through one day at a time, and we clung to the thought that we would see God’s goodness, and we have. It doesn’t sound very profound, but it means a lot to us.

So that has been our summer - the summer of the meltdown. The nice thing about butter is that it is still good when it goes soft. We can spread it on our bread, or pour it on popcorn. So, melted butter isn’t so bad.

I hope this helps. Be OnFire.

Troy

OnFire is a weekly letter on faith and character written by Troy Dennis. To subscribe or reply, email him at onfireletter@gmail.com. Archives are located at www.onfireletter.com