A Beachball in Brownsburg

It was a rare sight as the dark clouds parted, and the sinking sun made glitter on the wet grass.  Neighbors and friends had gathered under the shelter of the Wade’s Mill Pavillion for an annual picnic.  Our very talented brothers from Asbury, Doug and J.R. began to sing a lovely gospel song to kick off our evening.  As the meaningful music permeated the barn in a moment of praise… a giant beach ball was loose in Brownsburg! I couldn’t help but giggle as a contingent of children pushed the enormous, rainbow-colored ball up the hill behind the singers, and then ran away as the ball chased them back down the hill again.

There is something so beautiful about this unscripted moment—that these two experiences can coexist in one memory. It is intergenerational joy colliding.  And I cannot help but think this is far closer to the type of existence God imagined for us than how we typically walk around in this world.

As intentional as we can be in trying to coordinate an event, create a space of hospitality, plan and plan and plan…the rain can still threaten to wash it all away.  Something can always go awry.  In the end, we’re basically pushing a gigantic ball to the top of the hill and then getting out of the way so that the real magic can be made in the unscripted.  Maybe we should let go and let God more often.  Maybe we should strive to get out of our own way.  Maybe we should stop and smell the roses and eat dessert first. 

As one of those same children was judging the dessert contest, she looked up at me and said, “The ice cream cake is my favorite.”  And I replied, “Well I can see that darling, it is written all over your face.”  

I long for us to be able to say, “This corner of the world is my favorite.  This God, this Jesus, this Holy Spirit at work is my favorite.” And for everyone around us to reply, “Yes, it is written all over your face.” 

And the beachball rolls by in the distance.