“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

That was the first line from Charles Dickens’ novel, The Tale of Two Cities. I reckon in some way I feel that way.  Not in a bad way but in a good way.  How is that possible you ask?  Glad you did! 

I normally try to post about once a day except on weekends when I generally will skip Saturday and will usually write or schedule a post for late Sunday when most will view it on Monday. (I bet you now feel enormously grateful that you now know the workings of my mind) I am late today and almost decided not to.  But then I began to think that I have a story to tell so can I say it as loud as I can?  THIS WEEK HAS BEEN A ZOO AND IT IS ONLY TUESDAY!!! Honestly now, I am not asking for your sympathy.  Okay maybe just a little, but unless you plan to send (real) money,  keep your hand in your pocket.  No wiping of the tears.  No covering the mouth in a chuckle.  No hiding the eyes while you roll them and sing, “Cry me a river.”   Don’t deflate me any more than I already am.  So…what was I saying?  Oh yeah.  I was going to tell you why this has been a zoo around here and why it is the best of times and the worst of times.  (Sorry my mind is scattered all over the place and can’t seem to find it all).

Sunday, my secretary (actually the church’s secretary but I claim her) left with her husband for LasVegas.  No, not to gamble so don’t get your undies all in a bunch about church secretary’s gambling the church’s money away.  Diana’s fine husband, Jim, is the General Manager of the Bloomington (IN) Harley Davidson.  After the flood in Nashville changed H-D’s plans, they booked Vegas.  I “gave” Diana “permission” to go with Jim (as if I had any say in it).  Usually when she goes the office is pretty quiet, the phone doesn’t ring, and I can do what Bill wants to do.  But this week has been different.  It seems like every Tom, Dick & Harry knows she is gone and has made a pact to “hassle Bill any way we can.”   Now, before you get our your violins and play for me or buy stock in Kleenex, let me tell you that while “it is the worst of times, it is also the best of times. “  I have already told you why it is the worst of times.  I am busy!!  I can’t do what Bill wants to do when Bill wants to do it (although I did close up shop at 11 this morning so I could ride my bike).  But it is the best of times because of why I am busy.  The church I pastor has just purchased its first building/property.  (Big round of applause is heard)  Do you know how much stuff is involved in making a move?  Holy mackerel! (or is that Holy Overload Batman?)  Meetings, meetings and more meetings.  Call here or call there.  Things Diana would normally do, yours truly is having to do.  BTW: have you ever called AT&T and listened to that stupid robot on the other end?  When can I talk to a real person?…but I digress.   I have a new respect for church planters because even though we have been in existence for 6 years now, we are having to do things in less than 2 months that church plants and planters take 6 months to a year to do.  Combine all that stuff with my normal work- studying, blogging, making/taking calls, taking people out to eat so we can talk, etc and I am one busy boy.

So I don’t rouse any sympathy for myself, there is a point to this.  Something has to give.  I am proud ashamed to admit that during my Quiet Time this morning, I dozed for about 1/2 hour.  I was in la-la land and when I came comatose it took a moment to realize where I was.  Then I read this post by Duane Scott.  This seems to be a theme of some bloggers lately, too numerous to list here. Or maybe it is just me and the state I am in and knowing that as the date of our first worship experience in our new place gets closer, my life will probably get more hectic.  (I almost said hecticer but I know that is not a word.  It is underlined in red).      I do hope by now some of you have put away your violins.  However, instead of a musical solo, could I ask you to say a prayer for me?  And then…please tell me how I can pray for you right now.

One last (totally unrelated) thing: the words of Charles Dickens rang through my mind and as they did so did a song.  Dennis DeYoung was lamenting and writing about the closing of the Paradise Theatre in Chicago.  I love the graphics of this video.  Slow down and watch them. 

Any thoughts you have?  I would like to hear them (if you are not crying too hard for me or too swamped yourself).