I woke up Monday morning with the church playground on my mind.
Our church is undertaking a huge project to re-roof our buildings. The project was to begin Monday morning.
One part of the preparation for the project was for us clear the playground of anything that was not in the ground and relocate it on the other side of the building. This was a lot of stuff and it was a long walk to the relocation area. We rallied a few volunteers, but there were several large pieces that I wondered if we could move. I was not sure we could meet the tight time schedule we were given.
This is why I woke up so early Monday morning worrying about the church playground. I got up and went up to the church just a bit past 7 a.m. to be there when the workers began to roll in with all their materials and equipment.
Our volunteer playground relocation crew was due to come around 8:30 a.m.
As it turns out, the foreman was ready to put a tarp over the playground at 7:30 a.m. I could feel the anxiety start in my feet and travel all the way to my head when he told me this.
I explained to the foreman how we had a crew coming at 8:30 a.m. to relocate all the stuff so that they could put the tarp down. In my mind, I knew we could not do it fast enough to meet his timetable.
I was amazed by what was said next.
The foreman, standing there with a crew of eight men, told me, “We are waiting on a truck to get here. Do you want us to help you?”
I was more thrilled than you can know! I almost jumped up and down like a kid on a playground.
The answer to his question was, of course, a no-brainer and soon the task was done. I was amazed at how fast it went. I was so relieved that it was done.
You know this episode in my life is like so many other episodes that all turn out the same way.
It goes something like this: A challenge arises. I get anxious and worried about having the resources to meet the challenge. God comes through, works in and around me and provides the resources I need to meet the challenge.
This is not a new story.
There is that story in the Bible about some bread and fish feeding thousands of people.
There is also that story about a ram showing up in the briar patch when Abraham was facing the most gut-wrenching challenge of his life.
I just wish I could do as much remembering as I do worrying.
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The Rev. Vance Lowe is pastor of First United Methodist Church, China Grove.