This summer for our family has been a time of renewing acquaintances and bonds with distant family and friends, some of whom we haven't seen for 15 years. It has been a special time, but also a time of heaviness of heart, as we see parents and an aunt declining in health. These relatives have a personal walk with God, though, so there is a peace and joy, too. But perhaps you've had, as have we, a family member (the baby of the family in our case) "drop out" and more or less cut himself off from the rest of the family. He never calls Mom and Dad. They don't get cards from him on birthdays and holidays. Mom hardly knows she has that second son. And that is a heaviness to the whole family.

This same situation can happen in God's family. We are such busy people. We think, "Surely six months haven't passed since we've attended church regularly! Certainly we plan to call and encourage that sick or hurting church member. And definitely we plan to commit to the ongoing tending of the garden that is the growth of the church family." But time passes, and we haven't done anything.

Thinking about garden tending reminds me of some beautiful carnations that I was recently arranging. They had been in the vase for some days. The heads of the flowers were drooping over the lip of the vase. The flowers still looked bright and fresh. When I examined them more closely, I discovered that the stems had rotted up to the base of the flowers and couldn't hold them upright any more. The application to us as a church family is obvious. We have had some uprooting lately as a church. Some of us may feel discouraged and may want to hold back from involvement "until things settle." I would ask that you not allow malaise (Satan's best bug) to cause you to droop and wither within until we can't stand. God's family at LCC needs you now more than ever.

As I've reread the August church newsletter, I'm aware of how many times opportunities for service were mentioned. The Christian Education Committee especially needs help in many, many areas. We should not expect the same people to always do the gardening. Did you ever notice, in fact, that the busiest gardeners are always expected to be the only gardeners? We need help in every area, including: sorting badges and making sashes (for the exciting new Pioneer Club for young children), assistant teachers, regular teachers, special events coordinators (for programs about four times a year), Sunday school teachers for children and adults, and helping with the junior and senior high programs. Could you become an active member of the family in some capacity? If you have a direct involvement in a ministry (your child is involved), it becomes your responsibility to help nurture that ministry. Tell Denise or me where your gifts and interests lie and the time you have available, and we can "give you a spade or trowel" to work the soil.

In the '60s, there was a popular Christian musical called "For Heaven's Sake!" (Helen Kromer/Frederick Silver, 1963). It was somewhat controversial because some people found the lyrics were too direct. There was one song that deeply influenced my thinking then and has never left me. It was called "Use Me, O Lord!" I'd like to share the song as a challenge to us as we consider our place in God's family and the work of the kingdom:

Use me, O Lord! Use me, O Lord . . . but not just now!
As soon as I'm out of college, and pay all the debts I've carried;
As soon as I've done my army stint, as soon as I've gotten married
I want you to use me, O Lord,
Use me, O Lord . . . but not just now!

As soon as I get promoted, as soon as the house is built;
As soon as my psychiatrist says that I'm free from guilt;
I want you to use me, O Lord,
Use me, O Lord . . . but not just now!

As soon as I've paid the mortgage, as soon as the kids are grown,
As soon as they've finished college, as soon as they're on their own
I want you to use me, O Lord,
Use me, O Lord . . . but not just now!

As soon as I've reached retirement, as soon as we're getting ahead,
As soon as I draw my pension, just as soon as I am dead . . .
I want you to use me, O Lord,
Use me, O Lord. Now, Lord!