Incredible, the difference a year can bring. She drifted across the Gulf. Predictions about her path varied. She was going to come ashore here or there; she would be a category 5 – she wouldn’t be too bad. And we know now that Katrina’s impact will be long-lasting. (The last week of September Paul Dial and I will travel to Pass Christian to evaluate what we can do to help our sister church in its recovery.) Ernesto drifted up and looked like a hurricane. Mysterious to the weather prognosticators, he just fizzled into rain and a little wind. What a difference a year makes.
I was working through some church history stuff yesterday. March 2004 Wellborn was at the height of its history in terms of numbers. Then the pastor resigned and things quickly began to change. That same month, I was going about my normal life as a missionary. I met with African pastors – individually and as a group. I attended a national board meeting for Youth for Christ – I was serving as its national Vice-Chairman. We had short-term missionaries from another organization into our home. I was leading prayer meetings and worship services as the interim pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church in town. On the personal front, I played some golf (even a tournament) and had the only manicure of my life. What a difference a year made! By then, I was at the Wellborn blueberry pancake breakfast, sitting with Pasco and Loretta Jarvis. Sundays found me preaching. Weekdays found me in meetings about the life of Wellborn Baptist Church. (Sadly, my agenda shows no golf being played.)
Life can change quickly. The challenge is to be in on the plan that the Lord has for us. What will this year bring?
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