Dream Small - 4-24-19

Dream Small

I need to admit a problem I sometimes have. I tend to get to a little grandiose in my plans and ideas. Or perhaps you might say I go completely overboard.

For example, instead of just planting a few tomato plants next to my house or in a couple of large planters, I want to dig up my entire front yard and put in a small farm of tomatoes, beans, squash, zucchini, etc.

Of course, what inevitably happens is that nothing happens, or it gets sort of done and fails…and I am left buying tomatoes from the grocery store.

Such was the case Sunday afternoon as I rode back home from church.

Easter was amazing.

To start the day by being greeted with the beauty and joy of the flowering cross.

Then to worship in the early mist with the Lafayette community.

Next to study and laugh and eat what I am sure were miraculous made-by-the-Lord-into-no-calorie cinnamon rolls.

Worship with one another AND visitors and friends.

Phil was with us!

Family pictures on that beautiful day in front of the church.

And lunch together. Great food and fellowship. I looked around at one point and was just overwhelmed with peace and joy.

So, on the way home I began to plan.

I think it was when I envisioned the pipe organ and air conditioned greyhound-type bus that went around Walker County on Sundays to pick up folks to bring them to church and the food truck that drove into communities to feed the hungry every day that my common sense finally regained some control of my mind.

I chuckled to myself for my wild imagination.

And then I took a nap. (You will note I did not dream of a sunrise service every week.)

I only thought again of these wild dreams again when I was reading today’s lectionary devotional and these words appeared.

Acts 3:1-10

1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o'clock in the afternoon. 2And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. 3When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. 4Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” 7And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9All the people saw him walking and praising God, 10and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

What struck me is that the disciples did not call a gathering for a mass healing service. Instead they followed Christ’s lead of changing lives one person at a time. In fact, as I sit here thinking about it other than the feeding of the 5000, I can recall no great mass healings or miracles. What I recall is a lot of one-on-one or small group encounters that changed one life who then left to praise God and change others.

This thought reminds me of a song by Josh Wilson called Dream Small.

Part of the lyrics say this:

Dream small Don't buy the lie you've gotta do it all Just let Jesus use you where you are One day at a time Live well Loving God and others as yourself Find little ways where only you can help With His great love A tiny rock can make a giant fall Dream small

I think it is fine to dream big and I pray we do, but we must remember it all starts with one person at a time. Maybe we can’t get the greyhound bus yet, but we can give someone a ride to church. Or maybe we can find a second church to come join us for and do it twice a month. Or have just send everyone home from Friends Feeding Friends with a small box of cereal for their next breakfast. Or maybe we can just greet even the grumpy bank teller with a smile and a word of encouragement.

All those little things make a difference.

I am linking the Josh Wilson song here that has the music and lyrics. (I hope it works)

Clay

PS – I am still trying to figure out who all to thank for Sunday lunch so if it was you THANK YOU!

PPS – Sydney wants to try to make a breakfast casserole for Sunday so if you show up for Sunday school it will be waiting!

PRAYER CALENDAR

Please pray for those who have lost loved ones.

Please pray for Rob Lamborn as he begins radiation treatments for a melanoma tumor inside his eye.

Please pray for Sue Shuford, a family friend of Richard Carlton’s. She is facing major back surgery due to osteoporosis and RA damage to her T12. A date has not yet been scheduled for surgery.

From Friends Feeding Friends: Please pray for Charlotte Arnold who has a spot on her lung.

Please keep Suzy Smith in your prayers as she copes with cancer. (submitted by Jane Shelton)

Please keep Matt Degutes and his family in your prayers. He was a neighbor of Richard and Ray’s and his daughter and family live here. His cancer has returned and the final decision is no further action.

Please keep Phil Shelton and his family in your prayers as Phil recovers from a stroke.

Please pray for Richard’s brother, Michael Carlton, who recently had a kidney transplant.

Pray for Jessica Forester who is stationed near Dallas, TX.

Please pray for Steven and the Denson Family.

Please continue to pray for all those in our church family with special needs: Bob Lamborn, Zee Martin, Toni Autullo, Harold Wilson, Melissa, and Walter.