Yoder

On Saturday, we left Colorado for Kansas. We got a bit of a late start in that we had breakfast with friends from Colorado Springs mid-morning. It was a delight to be with Will, Kat, and Ryan O'Hearn. Will has been a dear friend to me for years.

We were sad to leave Colorado - our family and friends - but understood that there are more loved ones yet to see.

Our trip to Kansas was uneventful and that is really good. God has answered our prayers in keeping us safe and the van intact. This is especially true in light of London's driving two hours during the trip! (Just kidding, London).

This morning, we worshiped with the S. Hutchinson Mennonite Church. This is Kathy's parents' congregation. We were made to feel welcome and appreciated. Kathy even got to sing, thus providing her with a "fix." She no longer is experiencing the heebie-jeebies.

This afternoon, we had lunch with Kathy's folks at their home along with Mike & Vonnie (Kathy's bro and wife), Leonard & Ruth (Kathy's aunt & husband), and Marv & Dorothy (Kathy's aunt & husband). The food was dynamite and the company pretty good, too, although I did fall asleep a bit prematurely (though not during church).

This evening we just hung out. Tomorrow, I have been instructed that we will be going to Salt City Splash water park and then to eat pizza. I'm game.

Last week, Therin, London, and I hiked a couple of miles back to reservoirs that provide water for Palmer Lake. I had fished these plenty while growing up and almost always caught something. The three of us spent hours there doing all we could to lure fish to their peril this time around but without any luck. I found myself getting really irritated by this lack of fishing production, finally threatening God to just quit fishing altogether and completely (it is unclear when God actually entered this whole scenario!).

Within seconds, however, I was reminded that patience really is important in fishing because I cannot force the fish to bite the lure no matter how pretty I think it is. I was then further reminded that patience in life is triply important because there is not a lot that I can manipulate. I was still further reminded that when we engage in ministry, particularly evangelistic ministry, patience is vital as well. Many people during Jesus' time of ministry did not accept his message. Why would I expect that they would accept mine?

Sometimes it takes more than a couple of fishing trips to catch fish. Sometimes our prayers are answered in terms of years instead of hours and days. Sometimes we never see the fruit of that we planted while ministering to someone. Another person will be the one who receives the joy of harvest.

Patience is not having to control the outcome of whatever circumstance is before us. It is receiving with awe the gifts of blue sky, fresh air, and the company of sons on a fruitless fishing junket and calling the junket a life-changing experience. It is thanking God for making us wait to have our prayers answered because of the way it shapes and forms our character. It is celebrating the reality that when we have done God's will in ministry, fruit beyond our comprehension is being birthed even though we may never taste it firsthand.

Patience is letting God be Lord of our lives.

It's late...

Jeff