Potluck Feastival
Yesterday afternoon we had a potluck feastival to say good bye to our Pastor, Laszlo, and his wife, Sheryl. In accordance with United Methodist itinerant pastoral tradition, they have been transfered to Arizona.
This is good for Pastor because he has completed his mission here with us (creating unity between two merging congregations) and he is now free to persue a new ministry and enhance his God given gifts and talents. This is good for Sherry because she is back home, close to her family and able to see them whenever she wishes. This is good for me because I will be exposed to the thoughts, ideas and guidance of a new pastor so I, too, will grow spiritually.
Yet, beneath the blessing of this move is an extreme sadness. For every new beginning there must be an ending. I now have an empty space in my daily life. Sherry and I shared a mutual concern for each other’s well being. We shared our thoughts, ideas, opinions, joys, sorrows, irritations — and silliness. My ears will miss her laughter.
Although our parting isn’t permanent and our friendship is not ending, it will have to change to meet our new circumstances. Solomon points out that there is a time for everything. He even explains that not all things seem good, and it is not for us to understand the workings of God. In Ecclesiastes 1:12 Solomon explains, “There is nothing better for [us] then to be happy and do good while [we] live.” (my paraphrase)
It is hard to be happy while mouring a loss, but today I decided to rejoice in the fact that I have this friend to grieve over. Even if for some reason we never meet again, Sherry has greatly enriched my life. That is a priceless gift well worth celebrating.
Everyday that God gives us is a potluck feastival of new beginnings. I will look forward to them, and let the endings take care of themselves.
This entry was posted on Monday, June 26th, 2006 at 6:16 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
June 27th, 2006 at 6:23 pm
What a precious outlook on the situation. I will have to remember this when it’s time for us to move.
June 27th, 2006 at 7:34 pm
Hey, it doesn’t mean I’m not crying, but to avoid this pain I would have had to pass up the friendship. I am sure when Daniel is transfered the Lord will be there making a path and a place for you as well. In the meantime, you have another year there to rejoice in.
June 27th, 2006 at 7:46 pm
Did you see that? I posted as Quilldancer. I can’t even keep my identities straight on my own blogs!
July 5th, 2006 at 7:20 pm
rejoicing that I have this friend to grieve over … an interesting way of looking at the loss of your pastor!
But some points in the itinerant system (esp from the congregations viewpoint) ARE good and you brought those out well.
July 5th, 2006 at 7:57 pm
If I had not made the friend — I would have no reason to grieve — yet ultimately my loss would have been greater.