The 'Huh' Moment

I like coining terms. I'm trying to invent a term for the following
idea, perhaps you can help me.

It is that moment AFTER you've finished a huge undertaking (like
planning a wedding or some other huge long-term project) where you slump
down in your chair, and say 'Well, We did it! It's Over' and you relax
and celebrate... not that moment... the moment AFTER... when you
realize 'Huh, life goes on. There's millions of people all around me who
have no idea what we just accomplished and wouldn't care even if they
knew. Interesting.'

And then you decide to just keep on going with life.

It is that moment when you realize there will be no parade for your
accomplishment, maybe a quick pat on the back, but otherwise, the world
is not going to hoist a statue in your honor, nor will hundreds speak
your hallowed name in reverence.

Life goes on. You did something good, you served someone well, and
now... life continues. No pomp.. no circumstance. It's all over. Onto
the next thing.

THAT moment.

It isn't sad moment. It's a pause, a realization. All the people moving
around out there, have their own big moments, their own plans to undertake.

And in that moment you have a choice. That 'Huh' moment. You can
choose to wish the world did pay you homage and in some way said
'THANKS' to you. Or, you can choose to let having helped someone,
having served someone be its own reward, and then be happy and move on.

That 'huh' moment is the moment when you decide if you're going to be a
humble servant, or a complaining servant.

Banquet is over.. Huh.
Cleanup is done.. Huh.
Graduation is next.. Huh.
My daughter will be a senior in a few days.. Huh.
In 3 months my daughter will be 17... Huh.

Life is a series of moments, a series of attitude adjustments. This
week has been one of those weeks where exhaustion attacks your attitude
and you have to fight to remain a cheerful servant. I think my wife and
I pulled it off, but only because we love where we are and what we do.

God Can Use Weird

Years ago, I thought it might be fun to figure out if I could build a
karaoke machine.
I started with an old mac.
I installed Kjams software on it.
I plugged in a mic.
Boom, Karaoke machine.

No one ever used it. But I knew how to make it.

Years later, I considered getting rid of that old laptop, but I kept it
around because.... you never know.

A few minutes ago, someone said "Our karaoke machine is broken and we
have a youth event tomorrow... does anyone have a karaoke machine?"

I said 'Um, I may have sort of one... that might work... if it still
boots.' I ran home, dusted it off, booted it... boom instant karaoke.

Now tell me ... is it circumstance that I had the yen one Saturday 7
years ago, to build a karaoke machine that never got used, and then
decided NOT to get rid of it?
Or is that providence?


I have found over the years that there is a time and a place for almost
every kind of odd little interest I have, while serving here. Somehow,
that little know-how or talent seems to find a place where I can help
someone.

I don't believe in luck.

For Our Daughter

This is our daughter, helping lead Sunday morning worship.   She's in the youth band, in the choir, in the accappela singing group, and an 11th grader at the high school.

This week we have for the 11th and 12th graders a tradition here, called Banquet. You'd be familiar with the concept of prom or banquet depending on where you live/go to school.  Only we don't have fancy restaurants to go to.  So, the parents of these youths and other caring community members plan for months to make it a special time.  Those plans come to culmination in a one week period of repurposing old building materials and turning the gym into something new and exciting for the kids.  A place they visit very regularly, their teen center, is transformed into something else.

The concept isn't foreign, other schools do it.  We do it a slight bit differently in that we have relatively no budget for the event.

My wife and I have been knee deep in this since the beginning (along with many others) and it is the kind of hard work that is also very enjoyable because the community is pulling together to create a blessing for our outgoing seniors and incoming seniors.

For some it is also a catharsis, a period of knowing this is the last big thing you'll be able to do for your kid before they move away.

Some of you may remember 'Carol Sing'.  It is a lot like that (on a smaller scale).

I won't avoid the truth, there are some people who feel that missionaries shouldn't spend their time doing this type of thing.  We've learned a LOT about transitions and the role traditions play in transitioning over the years.

In June, dozens of TCK (third culture kids, formerly called Missionary Kids) are going to exit their 'home' and go to their sending country and try to establish themselves in this foreign environment, as fledgling adults.   It is a difficult time for them.  They could use your prayers.

But before they go, we're gonna have one last big fling, and it's called Banquet, and it happens in 2 days.
And then, all the adults are going to pass out and sleep for the weekend.