Never Once

I have been meaning to blog this entry for a while, but this past Thanksgiving, I had a moving experience. As is tradition, I travel to Alpena every year for Thanksgiving. It is great to see family, friends, and play in the annual football phenomenon known as the "Turkey Bowl." Every year is a good time, even if my wife and kids go back to Sparta without me (she has a Black Friday shopping tradition). This year was one of the best years in a while as I was able to re-connect with some of my best H.S. friends that I haven't seen in quite a while, and my team even won the football game! When Sunday arrived, I decided that I could stay long enough to attend church with my Dad. It's usually a nice, but rare, occasion when I am able to worship at the church of my childhood. Sometimes, however, it can be difficult going back because you realize how much things have changed since you have been "home." We have a tendency, I believe, to want our childhood memories to be exactly as we remember them, and then get disappointed when we discover they are not. I have found myself in that mode of thinking as well. I am human. Nevertheless, I was happy to be going to church with Dad. Although there were many different, unrecognizable faces, I was able to find some familiar faces, and was even able to sit next to some old neighborhood family friends.  Then, before Mass began, they honored miss Sally, who was celebrating her 90th birthday. I was confirmed in this church over 20 years ago and I remember miss Sally who encouraged me in my confirmation, sent me birthday cards, and even sang in the choir with me. And here she was today, with that very familiar smile and encouraging presence. And then the Holy Spirit moved me. It reminded me that this place and these people were a big part of my faith journey. It reminded me that God was in this place years ago, and He is still here today. As I kneeled through communion, I couldn't hold back a few tears as I became emotionally grateful. I was grateful that God allowed me to be a part of this faithful body of believers and that He was, indeed, still there. After Mass I said my good-byes to Dad and immediately headed for home. I was listening to Matt Redman's new CD called "10,000 Reasons." (Amazing album by the way!) The song "Never Once" came on and the words struck me. Again, the Holy Spirit was stirring in me. I heard the words, "Never once did we ever walk alone. Never once did you leave us on our own. You are faithful. God, you are faithful." Yes, there was more emotion! It's a long drive between Alpena and Sparta, so I had a lot of time to reflect. This is what I realized. I was leaving the place and the people that set me on my faith journey and I was returning to the place where God has sent me to do ministry, meet my wife, and start my family. With every step of the journey, through every trial, tribulation, joy, and celebration, God was with me. He has been holding me up and guiding me through every phase of my life. When we talk about faith, we often talk about us having faith in God. But I was overwhelmed as I realized what tremendous faith God has in me. He is faithful to all His people. When he says "I will never leave you or forsake you" he means it!  Our roads may be bumpy and winding at times, but God is with us in every bump and every turn. Whether I am in Alpena, Sparta, or on the other side of the earth God is faithfully with me, because he loves me and believes in me. I am humbled, uplifted, and grateful at the thought of how faithful God is. This is the God I love and the God I try to serve with my life. This is the God I want all people to know. "Never once did we ever walk alone. Never once did you leave us on our own. You are faitful. God, you are faithful." Thanks God. Amen.