Sunday
The Cromwell Lutheran church is a beautiful church. I first saw it in 2000 at a Lenten service and hoped I might one day preach there. The opportunity came in 2007. I looked forward to preaching there again.
I was warmly greeted. As it was communion Sunday I reviewed the service beforehand with help from a kind woman named Holly. The church secretary?
The service went well. I made mistakes, but I had asked for forgiveness in the welcome so my errors were accepted in good grace. At one point in the service the worship assistant picked up my part when I was lost. I appreciated that.
There were not many present; perhaps 30. Most were women. All seemed to receive the message well. The singing voice of the worship assistant was lovely. One of the hymns I particularly enjoyed: My Life Flows on in Endless Song. An awkward title, but a fine hymn!
As folks left they made certain to say something kind to me about the service. It was nice to hear. New and visiting pastors are told they have done a good job. Much like a backup quarterback in the NFL they can do no wrong. It is different for the full time pastors and quarterbacks. They get praise when they begin. Then it comes sparingly and sometimes not at all. Once they have been there long enough only the newer members and visitors think to be positive. A few will rarely say anything except to complain.
After the service I took the long way home. I was in no hurry to lose the warm feeling I had. I thought about Matt, the new pastor in Wolf Lake. I knew he was being treated very well. I pray it will continue. But in time I know he will have to make do with less reinforcement. I wish it were not so.
After driving for 45 minutes I forced myself to go to the store for needed items. Then it was home to free Duke and feed him.
It was hot again, and again we stayed indoors for the most part. I played awhile with Duke. Took a short nap. Then I answered emails, read and listened to music. I retrieved yesterday's mail. There was a book, A Confederacy of Dunces, and a another lovely card from a couple at church.
It is undeniable that I need this time off. It is also undeniable that I miss the church. One can't have both.
There was a house showing at 3:00 so Duke and I went for a drive. We stopped by an abandoned house that has intrigued me for some time. I took photos to send to Angie, my friend and realtor, and asked her to check its status. Duke had a much needed romp in the long grass.
It looked forlorn. There were toys outside the front door. Painting of the brickwork had been halted before completion. It is criminal what has happened in this country. It is even more criminal that those who caused this mess are not harmed at all.
There is a pool behind the fence. The toys by the door, the basketball hoop, the peeling paint break my heart. This was one family's dream. There are hundreds like it in this area. More should be said but I leave it for another time.
This day that began so well ended badly.
The warmest summer
gives way to winter's cold--
Shattered dreams
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