ministry in the aftermath

in the midst of it all 

there is love.

one high school friend 

texted me last night

frustrated with all the 

"chicken" controversy

yes

i know

it's the way stories come and go 

these days.

we overdose 

on the latest

tasty morsel of drama

only to wait

for the next story.

stories

and drama 

come and go

and yet

real people

with real stories

remain 

in the aftermath of all

the nouns and verbs

and actions.

it's the aftermath

where ministry continues.

i heard an old favorite song 

this morning:

wandering shepherd...

wander no more...

lay down your troubles

your worries and woes.

traveling pilgrim...

rest for the night...

sup with the savior 

and drink of his light.

homeless believer...

find here a home...

you may be lonely 

but never alone. 

yesterday people of faith rallied...

and in the aftermath 

there remain

many who seek 

a home...

a home where 

they can be known

belong, and rest

and where 

condemnation 

and labels such as 

abomination 

and aberration 

are no longer

used as instruments of hate. 

"what's the different between you and 

the other group on the lawn"
the woman driving by asked 
those of us gathered at chick-fil-a yesterday.

i answered...

you will have to ask them who they are

and what they are about.

as for me and mine

we simply do not 

and will not 

condemn others. 

we'll stand in the face of those 

who criticize and label 

non condemning faith as weak

but we will err on the side of love

we will diligently work to not only 

utter the belief 

of unconditional grace

but to live it. 

behind bumper sticker messages

there are real people 

with real stories

and this is where 

ministry 

continues.

as i've said countless times these 

past six months....

i am blessed to serve a church 

who reflects and respects 

the diversity of God’s world around us

in age, gender, race, ethnicity, 

sexual orientation 

and mental or physical abilities.

there is ministry 
in the aftermath.