Word of the Week: Joy-zaustion
Ok, there is no word called joy-zaustion. But there should be! It’s when you feel great joy and exhaustion at the same time. We had a busy week this past week, culminating with our “One Life”/20th anniversary Sunday. I felt great joy in seeing the committed core of Grace, along with many guests that we all brought. Three people came to the early service “uninvited”- they were just visiting and looking for a new church. A friend of mine who I invited at the last minute came to the 8:30 service, and a number of friends my wife invited joyously joined us at the later service. I saw many of your friends and neighbors out there too. One of our neighbors couldn’t make it this past week but wanted to try us out because we have something for their children. More and more people are joining the Christianity Explored class that starts this month, either to get some clarity about their faith or hone the rough edges!
Our Grace team as always worked hard to make things special. All the staff chipped in in the previous weeks and did good things yesterday. Karen Sawyer was sad to be gone but her nephew was getting married! She got Jimmy to come and lead us well. Candy, as always, was orchestrating things behind the scenes. Tom, Sean and Barbara were welcoming guests of all ages and making sure they were well treated. Maria Jones worked with her company to get us incredible cake at ½ price! Volunteers did a great job helping people find their way around.
So, I write on a Monday and have some joyous thoughts about several encounters with people yesterday. But also, I have the exhaustion part! Part of the exhaustion comes from a raised awareness I had about Sunday - a sense of special responsibility. You were inviting people special to you, and I wanted to be faithful to the word and treat them well too. No one wants to invite a friend and think, “Wow, I can’t believe he said that.” On the other hand, there is an “audience of one” to whom we always look, and whom we want to serve well.
So, joy-zaustion has set in, even as we get closer to going as a team of 9 to Japan. We still need about $1700 so if you planned to give, we are still accepting!
See you soon…
Don Ward