All is well

At the end of the chapter of my professional life called "an interim associate pastor at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church, "all is well." Today was my last Sunday and my last day. It was wonderful partly because it happened on the same day as "Kick Off Sunday of the Program Year". I love programs and I love systems and I love working and relating and doing ministry within the boundaries of the system. The Church's Gym was filled with people and tables and tables show-casing our up-coming year's programs. What more can I ask for? It was perfect, simply perfect. People eating cake, among other things, and drinking many colours of liquids (I think lemonade and such), moseying around slowly as they visited with one another. Pastor Steve led a prayer for Will and me with all the people laying hands on us. Several children were holding my hands which I loved. Worship services were great. We sang my favorite hymns at the 11:15 a.m worship. I prayed the offertory prayer in Mizo thanking God for all His blessings and asking God to use the little bit we brought back for the expansion of his kingdom. Last night Steve prayed for us as well during worship. We went out with the Church family to the El Dorado Mexican Restaurant and Bob Weber insisted on buying me dinner. So, I ordered a very expensive one. Why not! We visited for a long time after dinner. It was fun. Back to this morning, as I re-arranged the furniture in my office before I left, I looked around and thanked God: for such a wonderful year filled with his mercy and goodness that I experienced in that office, for using me as an instrument of his love and care, for all kinds of meaningful meetings and the learning I have had in there; for many prayers over sickness, death, thanksgiving for recovery from sickness, birth, troubles of all kinds, all prayer in that office; for the tears of joy and sorrow shed in there; for all the tea-s had in there; for all the conversations; and overall for blessing this space as a place of work, hospitality and grace. Then I went on to ask God to bless Rachael and her work in that same space. I felt happy and at peace, picked up the yard stick from my wall. Don't ask me why I always had a yard stick in my office and headed towards the door. By the time I got to the door I was choked up a little bit but not too badly. I once again said - "Thank you Lord." I closed the door, picked up my name plate that was on the door and left the building. My feet were light and swift as though God's spirit was in my legs. I felt grateful for all that was about this past 13 months. All is well even at the end of this chapter of my professional life/ministry. Oh, yes Rene gave me an umbrella with which to fade away in my style. That was great!