Eight Days Not Enough

Step by step, I moved as slowly and quietly as I could. The darkness and silence of night surrounded me. Hoping upon hope for whatever was to come, my heart was pounding so hard it was about to bust a seam. “Was I too early? Is it too soon to get excited?” Isn’t it funny that life moments sometime bring your senses to a higher level, yet we hesitate to show emotion? Call it caution, wisdom, prudence or whatever, we learn to hold back even though inside we want to scream, laugh or jump for joy.

With darkness all around, I slowly and cautiously raised my Man From U.N.C.L.E. special spy flashlight. It was made for such a time as this. I clicked on the light, and there it was. Gloriously shining, it was nothing less than truly MAGNIFICENT!! and unlike anything I could have imagined. Twenty-four inch silver spoke wheels . . . white banana seat . . . bright-green sparkly colored frame (you know, the kind that looks like glitter) . . . and long high rise handle bars. Wow! Could it really be true?? Could this be for me? Surely my brothers had their own presents left nearby. After all, they already had bikes! With parents still asleep, I was doing all I could to hold back and keep from laughing out in pure joy.

Never will forget that moment. Ranks up there in the top 20, for sure. It reminds me, however, that even though moments come around that cause our insides to do backflips, the older we get the more often a part of us holds us back. We want to jump up and down and all around, but realize it wouldn’t be “sensible.” You know, that whole thing called wisdom everyone talks about. Being cautious . . . not counting chickens if all you see is a bunch of eggs. As we painfully learn along our path, sometimes disappointment carries a heavy hammer.

What does all of this have to do with our search for our Kingdom Campus, you may ask? Well, in my view, a whole bunch. This past week, some of our beloved brothers and sisters took a tour of a place on Bulverde Road that used to house the Cowcatcher’s Restaurant. Unlike other site visits, however, this visit carried a lot more potential. Hope and tingly feelings danced through hearts. Not too long ago, the bank which owns the site decided to not lease the building, and was instead going to put it up for sale. That was disappointing news, as we were considering it for lease and it seemed to hold so much promise for our needs. But then, miraculously (those still happen, right???) the bank “unexplainably” switched positions and said it would entertain an offer from us to lease under terms that could be just what we were looking for.

The building needs some changes if the Lord wants to convert it from selling beef to saving souls. So, this past week representatives of Riverside’s ministries and staff gathered at the site to walk through and analyze more intently what changes would be needed to conform it to our needs. The sensible questions: Would this place work for us, and how much would it cost? As construction and architectural experts listened to different people describe their vision of what could be, it became more and more clear that this place might be a good fit: a perfect place for our nursery; places for our children and youth to gather; classrooms to meet and learn; a room that could be converted to a sanctuary for music and worship. Could it be, Lord, that you are giving us a home where we can gather seven days a week? Dare we get excited too soon?

In the midst of exploration, vision and analysis, one thing particularly fascinating happened. If one was to stop and notice, there was a restrained excitement bubbling up and through each person. As each person slowly moved about, prayed and allowed themselves to express the vision of what was needed, it was evident people wanted to get excited, but were hesitant to bust loose.

As a practical matter, the place looks like it might work perfectly for our short-term needs. Though we still have not worked out all of the cost aspects, both us and the bank seem to be headed in the right direction.

But we’re supposed to be cautious until it’s a done deal, right? “No one get too excited too soon . . . that would not be wise at all!” Well, I hate to throw a wrench in common wisdom, but do we really have to be so restrained? I wonder sometimes if G_d sits back and knows we are bubbling inside about a particular moment He gives us, yet sees us struggle with caution and fear of disappointment. I wonder if sometimes He wants us to laugh out loud and dance, regardless of whether things are still uncertain and regardless if we know what the outcome will be, simply because we know G_d is giving us wonderful possibilities and will undoubtedly be there to love on us no matter the outcome. After their return from exile in Bablyon, but before restoration of their home and “fortunes,” I love that the people’s “mouths were filled with laughter” and “tongues with songs of joy.” Ps. 126:2.

This week, the Home Committee is evaluating the cost of conversion, and its finding and recommendation will be given to the Pastor’s Council. Ultimately, it appears we will be negotiating for the bank to fund this cost, and keep our expense down to a minimum. Please pray that this analysis and negotiation goes as G_d would want.

The Beatles once sang of a love so deep that “eight days a week” would not be enough to show they cared. The thought of what G_d would do for and through us seven days a week in a church home is enough to shake us at our core. But because this is not yet a “done deal,” some will understandably be hesitant to get too excited. Me? I’m laughing out loud!

Regardless of the outcome of the “Cowcatchers” site, G_d has been unbelievably loving in showing us He cares. Thank you, Lord, for showing us the possibility of what can be. We know and appreciate so much that you will always be there on the other side of disappointment. We know and appreciate so much that your love has and will continue to be like beautiful flowers flowing and falling over the side of a basket.

♫“Ain’t got nothin but love, babe. Eight days a week.”♫

Shema