God has blessed Julia and me with a wonderful ocean front summer home in Sea Isle City, New Jersey. We love sunrise walks along the beach, the cool ocean breezes, and sharing this place with guests.
However, being “down the shore” keeps us away from our church home. Determined not to “forsake the assembly of the saints,” we got up June 30 planning to attend services. I had located one of the seasonal seaside chapels that dot the coastline. It seemed a good place to visit during the summer. We might even meet another boomer couple or two along the way.
God had other ideas. Bayside street flooding kept us from making the short journey from 25th to 88th Street. After several attempts to find a safe path, Julia suggested we go off the island to look for a place to worship. Over the bridge we went, taking a left turn onto US-9.
At 10:08 we found ourselves in front of a charming country church. When I saw that the service started at 10:15, I told Julia, “This is where God wants us.” We walked in to be greeted by a man whose father had pastored the church for 37 years. Instead of a chapel full of summer shore hounds, we were in a settled community of faith who welcomed us with open arms.
We witnessed Calvary Church in Ocean View selling home grown blueberries to fund the purchase of wheelchairs for Guatemalan villagers. Later, I was able to connect their missionaries with our workers in Guatemala City. In due time, we hosted new friends for dinner. Yesterday, Pastor Bob Brown baptized seven folks who declared their commitment to follow Jesus. A sweet way to end September!
Learning that we plan to be in Philly for the fall and winter, folks told us, “we will miss you while you are gone.” Julia and I have found “a home away from home.” The warm community gave us rest and refreshment during our hectic season of transition. So it is with God’s people: we can find family everywhere.
Once more God showed us how He uses the flood tides of life to keep us on course. I frequently counsel young recruits not to regard apparent detours as setbacks, but as instances of their Father’s wise parenting. Just as the high tide of June 30 took us to our summer church home, God will use momentary hindrances for our growth, the good of others, and HIS glory.
We all need to apply that lesson as we age and as things change. The waters can run deep. He assures us that, “As you pass through the waters. I will be with you: and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” Isaiah 43:2
And that’s the mid-week memo.
By Our Ally and Friend, Dan Macha