Great is Thy Faithfulness

It is hard to believe that only two weeks ago, Prentice was preaching to us at Otter Creek about making sure we have "no other gods before us".... now he is gone.

I had known of/about him for many years and went to church with his sister Linda at Woodmont Hills. My mom told me she was at Lipscomb with him and he had been class president while she was there.

No, I didn't know him all that well, but he was such a blessing to Otter while he worked with us and taught us.

His death this week causes me to be reminded how quickly life can be taken away.

A month ago, I was singing on praise team and we were all in the "green room" backstage before going out to lead worship. About 15 minutes before church begins, everyone involved in the service for that Sunday meets together to go over the schedule and to pray. We had finished covering the details, and we were in a circle focusing on the huge responsibility we had of leading the church in worship-- we were trying to prepare our hearts and acknowledge that we were only God's vessels to use as He chose for His glory. Prentice spoke up and said he had been reminded of how insignificant we all are while in Vermont earlier that week. He said a man had remarked to him, "Realize that the number of people who will attend your funeral is directly tied to how the weather happens to be that day!" We all laughed and thought it was quite funny-- yet true. It is so hard to believe that he is now gone, and that he died during Thanksgiving week.

Today I was blessed to lead worship again. The Meador family, his wife Barbara, his children, his sister and others... were all seated up front to my left. The service was a pretty emotional one.... a video of Prentice was shown of his life which also contained clips from the last sermon he preached at Otter Creek just two weeks ago. It was very moving. The songs we sang were also very reflective and emotional.... Blessed Be Your Name, Great is Thy Faithfulness, He's Always Been Faithful, It is Well with My Soul.....

During "Great is Thy Faithfulness" I looked over at the Meadors and wondered how hard it must be for them to sing these words so soon after Prentice's death. When we reached the chorus, I saw his wife Barbara stand and raise her hand! I was so moved-- tears filled my eyes and I couldn't sing another note! Immediately people all over the sanctuary begin to stand with her and sang out "Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me!" It was just so overwhelming. What a testimony she gave to all of us as she lifted her hands to praise the Lord who "gives and takes away." I will never forget that moment and I am so grateful to her for sharing that moment with Otter Creek-- and with me. I pray that I could respond in the same way if Scott is taken away from me suddenly (he just happened to be sitting directly behind her this morning and stood up right as she did to support her).

Otter Creek is such a special place and I am SO SO thankful to be somewhere that so easily and honestly shares emotion with one another. Tears are a part of the journey.

Praise God! Prentice has finished his journey. Thank you for encouraging all of us along the way.

You can watch his memorial service at held at Lipscomb here.

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Our Lifegroup: We are Thankful

Last night we had a wonderful (and yummy!) Thanksgiving meal with our lifegroup. It was just one year ago when we all decided to give it a go as a group, and God has really had His hand upon us.

The couples in the group are becoming so dear to us, and the kids all get along so well. Caroline has so many little girls to bond with and Luke is thrilled to have another little boy to play who is just a tad older than he is.

Scott and I waited almost two years after we left Woodmont and came to Otter before we decided we were ready to get involved in a lifegroup again. We are so thankful that God proved faithful in His perfect timing and helped lead us to this amazing group of people.

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is GOOD!"

New Year's Resolutions-- Isn't it just Thanksgiving?

So-- I confess I haven't been putting too many "thoughts" and ponderings out on my blog this year.... Seems like 2008 has been a rough one. It started off with me getting the flu, then pneumonia, a hard consignment sale-- and, that pretty much set the tone for the rest of the year! I'm not saying this year hasn't been fun or that I am not extremely beyond measure blessed-- I'm just saying that it has been busy and I have been playing catch-up-- which means little time (or motivation) to ponder the deep things of life.

The Bible class that Rhonda Lowry came to do with us at Otter this fall did become a slight spark in my mind though.... She really is an inspiration to me. I admire her. I respect her. In many ways I want to emulate the path she chose for her life. I had lunch with her and she has re-ignited a part of me that I had let fall by the wayside. Not sure exactly what that means for me just yet, but at least it has me thinking again.

It is hard to explain.... I have been so busy doing other important things that I have lost track of my overall vision for my life. I enjoy the things I choose to do and get great satisfaction and pleasure and re-enforcement from them.... but, at the end of the day, those things are not what make ME me.... Another layer on top of this which adds to the complexity is being a mom. Yes, it is the biggest blessing, but it also makes it really easy to forget what it means to be tuned in to who you are as an individual. Your identity becomes wrapped up in theirs-- which to a certain extent is how it should be..... BUT....

So- as 2009 approaches here are things that have recently surfaced in my head and that I want to address full force:

• Friend: I used to consider myself a great friend. I confess-- I haven't been a good one lately to anyone. It is easy to use the "too busy excuse", but I think my problem has been that I simply forgot how important good friends are-- how much they add to life. I vow to do a better job of calling, writing, making lunch dates.
• Wife: I have THE BEST husband on the planet. I have been with him for almost 17 years now, and I will gladly admit that I respect him and love him now just as much-- or more-- than I ever have. So, why don't I go out of my way to lavish love and praises upon him like I did when we were dating?! Once again, the "too busy (and tired) excuse" could be my option out... but, I know I owe him more than that.
• Mother: Two days a week my kids are both in school. I have not managed to make my life more productive on those days. just more full with other things. When the kids are home, I still feel like I am playing catch up. I want to slow down and just enjoy them. I want to PLAY more with them in 2009. I want to turn off the latest Disney flick and paint and color. I want them to know their Mom thinks they are the most important thing in the world-- not my computer or emails.
• Daughter of the King: I have spent MUCH time doing relationship with God.... In 2009 I want to spend time being in relationship with God-- simply enjoying the pursuit and making more time for Him.

So-- my goals are lofty. But, as 40 looms ever nearer, I am starting to change my perspective on making the most important things the most important things.

This Thanksgiving, I want to thank all the things and people who have opened my eyes to those "important things." I will need to have some accountability and encouragement along the way to keep me on track, and I am sure I will be looking to some of you to help! :)

On a completely different note-- please keep Prentice Meador in your prayers. He has been working with us at Otter and just this weekend has suffered a terrible illness. He was admitted to the hospital thinking he had pneumonia, but it ended up being some mysterious virus that they can't quite figure out. He has had an extremely high fever and his heart has stopped at times. Otter Creek is praying around the clock for his recovery. You can keep track of his progress and leave messages for the family at this blog: http://prenticemeadorupdate.blogspot.com/

Our Family Trip to Gentry's Farm

Luke at Gentry's Farm 2008