Year 35: I Wouldn’t Trade It for Anything

In late December, people take a look back and remember. They see highs and lows from the year gone by and often utilize those to help make plans and goals for the next year. I’m not waiting until late December.

Today is my 35th birthday, and as I have been thinking over the past few days about the last year, I can’t believe what all has happened. It has probably been the most challenging year of my life. A lot of this post has to do with Lebanon Road “family” stuff, but I hope anyone reading can gain from this. I also know that I will leave out some things that have happened in the past 12 months, but just take this list as a sampling of some of what has occurred since I turned 34.

• One of our young couples lost a baby at the point of birth. Late that night (around 10:30, I guess) I was leading prayer for them in their hospital room. At the end of that week, around 20 from Lebanon Road had made a 5-hour round trip drive for a 20-minute graveside service.
• A young husband decided he no longer wanted to be a husband and walked out on a sweet Christian young lady. The months from then until now have been spent trying to share a kind word with her, and making (futile) attempts to speak to him.
• A 5-year-old boy was diagnosed with brain cancer and has spent the last 9+ months going through treatments, and all the difficulties that come with them. Watching his parents struggle, but shine in faith, has been both agonizing and strengthening. At his initial surgery, well north of 30 from Lebanon Road were present, including all seven elders.
• Lebanon Road has lost several “family members,” including one original member of the congregation, and several other influential folks. One was diagnosed with brain cancer, and I found out about it on the eve of the 5-year-old boy’s surgery. Another stopped working (after a lifetime of strong labor) and checked into the hospital. She never got better. A third was a charter member at Lebanon Road and the peace she showed in her final months and weeks was amazing.
• My dad has been dealing with extreme problems with his health. In late February, he wasn’t feeling well and the doctors thought a blood transfusion would help. He’s still waiting for it, because they discovered a very rare disorder in his blood. I have spent several evenings crying to God to have my daddy back. (Thankfully, dad is back to himself, thanks to God and some great medical attention.) He doesn’t know this–until now–but on at least 3 occasions, I scribbled some thoughts down on paper in case “the worst” came and I had to preach his funeral. Thankfully, all those scribbles are in the trash, because dad is back.
• Mom gave us a scare by having to get her heart and arteries checked out. She is fine, but that was not a good couple of days, either.
• And just this past Sunday, my brother-in-law lost his dad suddenly. Jim Tatum was a man I respected and always enjoyed being around. I am spending most of my birthday traveling to, attending, and traveling back from his funeral.

In addition, there were the usual things in life: the kids got sick at times, we enjoyed some wonderful time with family and friends, and Turner started Kindergarten.

Overall, the level of “stuff” on us this year has been tremendous. It has been a year that I will never forget.

But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Why?

I was reminded of…

1. God’s presence. Through every step and struggle, He was there. I knew that before, but now I have truly seen it.

2. Leah’s strength. Preachers’ wives (and elders’ wives) have a struggle that no one else can understand. She has seen me cry. She has seen me angry. She has seen me doubt. … and she has seen me put on a smiley face for Sunday morning and act as if nothing was ever wrong. She is truly amazing.

3. My family’s strength. When you have four preachers in the family, weekends are not available! Communication was still constant, though, through phone calls, emails, texts, and Facebook. My family is a blessing that I don’t deserve, but could not be more thankful for.

4. The power of shepherding elders. The elders at Lebanon Road have been truly remarkable. They have prayed, cried, visited, and just “been there” for people through struggles that I know they felt in their hearts and souls, too. I have watched them go from “great” to “amazing” over these past few months, and my admiration of them could not be higher.

5. A Christian family. Emphasis on “Family.” Lebanon Road…you are one of the greatest joys of my life. I can’t begin to feel adequate to serve you as the minister, and you have been as Christ-like as any group of people could ever be over the past 12 months.

6. What really makes a Church strong. We have not had a lot of baptisms in the past 12 months. Very few, in fact. But I would be so bold as to say that the congregation is as strong as ever. We have truly come together through storms, and I think we are ready to face anything. (Remember, Lebanon Road, “Satan isn’t going to win!”)

7. Life’s brevity. So much of this year has dealt with loss. Life is short, and I want to do so much.

8. Heaven. A lot. I mean, a  LOT. I can barely type the word “heaven” without crying anymore (there are tears in my eyes now). Seeing so much suffering and pain makes me want so very much to go to a place where none of that is there.

This has been a year that many people would like to forget, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I have no clue what God has in store for the next year, but I am thankful for year #35. Though difficult, it was just the type of year I needed to travel through. May God be praised for any good that was accomplished during it.

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