A visit to Concordia...

 To those of you who are worried about Concordias:

I just got back from a weekend at CUW. Yes, it's winter up there, and there are harsh winds and hard, slippery spots. But there is also life, and there are many reasons to praise God for his faithfulness.

My daughter is there. She loves Jesus, and she loves things good, true, and beautiful. She has found a large group of friends there who do, too. 

A group of students who want to be faithful, fun, hospitable; who are not afraid to be loud or weird, to make a scene; who are committed to seizing the day and fighting for truth and pouring into each other during these college days.

These students dream big, talk loud, and play hard (Think contra dancing and card games with injuries and the loudest game of charades you have ever heard.)

They are the church’s future pastors, teachers, journalists, lawyers; each one determined to fight for Scripture (and the confessions,) to speak bold truths, to laugh long and argue passionately (even among themselves). 

How many college students willingly gather on a Friday night to welcome a friend’s mom and her siblings, for dinner and hours of games and fellowship?  How many can reign in the absolute frenzy and hilarity of those hours for a reverent, peaceful compline service at the end of the night? 

These students, right now, are at our university, learning together to pray for wisdom to love well and fight hard at the same time.  They study, sing, and pray together. They have found much to support their faith and give thanks for many faithful professors. They also acknowledge the hard, complicated battle that is all around them.

As we wrestle as a church, pondering anew what is the heart and soul of the church, of education, of faithful Christianity, of vocation, of love and mission,

Let’s also pray for these kids, trying to figure it out right there on the battlefield.  Let’s remember that it is complicated for them, too, as well as for all the professors and pastors trying to love well and live faithfully in these divisive days.

We must hate evil, but let us not forget to love what is good, and to celebrate and encourage those who keep showing up, holding fast to God’s Word. 

Pray with me, please, for this precious, blessed group of young adults

whom God is raising up to love goodness, truth, and beauty.

His work continues, His faithfulness to all generations. Praise Him.

whatever happens next...

 

They play in the clear pure waters of Lake Michigan, every one of them laughing

and I’m totally ok, even though it’s the last day of vacation before she goes to college .

I’m ok, until he says quietly,

“Too bad all good things come to an end, huh?” 

And that cliche,

those words puncture the water balloons behind my eyes ,

my tears stream quietly

and I don’t even try to stop them. 

Sitting in sadness, not running this time, 

no more running and running and pretending until I am flattened. 

I put down my salad and I lean on him

as the boat bounces and the anchor holds.

So yeah, I’m sad, universe, on this perfect Lake Michigan day,

in the sunshine of 80 degrees and a gentle wind and the soft sand on the clear bottom and everything I could ever want,

leaning on a husband who read my thoughts

as we watch our oldest wrestle loudly with her siblings one more time before she launches, 

before she leaves.

I left some tears behind in Lake Michigan this time. 

Is it strange that I see God’s gentle care even in this,

in the timing of the moment, 

and the finding of the sunglasses?

My dad wore sunglasses when they dropped me off at college,

to help him fake the smile that said, “You got this!” and “Have fun, but not too much!”

Sunglasses,

a nice pair, washed up in the waves, discovered by my son while we walked,

(It was known that I would need them);

they hid my face while they played in the water 

and I closed my streaming eyes

and listened to the sound of crashing waves,

seagulls and laughter,

and days passing away. 

Whatever happens next…

It will be change. 

It will be new and different and partly sad

There will be a hole.

How could it be good? 

Could it really be good?

Whatever happens next, let it be good for her.

Let her world keep opening wider,

as You Lord widen her heart and mind

and take the word HOME and stretch it out even farther

MIchigan- Indiana- Kentucky- now Wisconsin

Stretch, stretch her Lord

but oh, don’t let this world break her. 

Whatever happens next,

Lord Jesus by your grace,

let it be good.