Thank you all for this past weekend. I thought I understood it at the time, but I'm only beginning to realize what a unique and special time it was. I'd say once-in-a-lifetime, but as Kate and Dad said, it's more rare than that, really.
People asked me if I felt different afterward, as though I was changed somehow. Well, yes and no. In important ways, I'm the same today as I was Sunday, and was the week before. On the other hand, I feel incredibly freed. Much like getting married, there is the intense relief of "being there." Not that the journey is over (it's only beginning), but we are truly on our way. No more preparation, warm-up, anticipation. No more "Well, I'm on my way to becoming a minister, once I do ABC." Just as it was frustrating to speak of our significant others as "Oh, this is my girlfriend/fiancee, etc.," and a relief to finally say "This is my wife," it's nice to say "I'm a minister."
I was also really encouraged this weekend because we returned to the "basics," and I was reminded (in some cases, for the first time) why I endeavored on this path in the first place. John Danner speaking about seeing treasure in every person and drawing all to new life in God, Mich Zeman reminding me to seek out and receive the blessings of relationships, literature, art, etc. so that I might in turn bless those around me; I couldn't help thinking "Oh yeah - that's what this is about!" Its not just about appropriate emotional detachment from churches in conflict, keeping doors open and windows cleared to avoid getting sued, and addicts and molesters who seek out the church because it's the last bastion of an idealistic, trusting culture. These are all important cautions, of course, and they'll help me as I go, but wow, can they turn a person cynical pretty quick (and I'm always teetering on the brink anyway).
Anyway, thank you all for being there. More thoughts to follow.
Aaron
