Views From the Mount

Wednesdays are becoming our "Community Day" at Mt. Carmel. As I arrive around 10:00 am and pull into the drive way I can hear the shout of joy coming from the play ground. At first I was so happy to think that the kids were excited that Pastor Glenn was there but soon it became clear that their excitement was Andy the dog, and not me. Andy knows and loves the routine. As I lower the tailgate of the truck he grabs his red rubber ball and goes running down the stairs to greet his adoring fans. My ego takes another hit when I walk down the hill and the kids all greet me calling me Klaus. Oh well, I never correct them. The kids line up two by two to throw the ball for Andy who faithfully retrieves it, dropping it at their feet and waiting for the next throw. Andy never tires of retrieving the ball and the kids never tire of throwing it for him. After about 1/2 hour the kids go in to their classroom and Andy and I go upstairs to the church. Having opened up all the windows and put on a pot of coffee I sit in the office to pray. I am better at this discipline than Andy. Who knew that Andy would be an evangelism tool here at Mt. Carmel. I am really grateful to be able to bring him to work with me. Well most of the time. At noon the door opens, Andy barks and in comes Barbara and Kathy the sewing group. They immediate tell Andy to "stop it" and it feels like home. As the afternoon unfolds we share lunch and conversation around the table. The ladies have discovered that Andy likes carrots. Greg stops in for lunch before heading back to work. The teachers come upstairs to pet Andy and chat with a person over the age of 5. Lisa stops by around 3:30 pm. and we continue to sort through another file cabinet discerning what we need to save and what is dated and needs to be recycled. At 5:30 pm as I load up Andy and turn the key of the truck, I think how powerful community is and how we, as humans crave relationships that are authentic and real. I am blessed.