This past Tuesday, Amy and I went out of town for 24 hours. We had purchased tickets – way back in December! – to see a concert at Tanglewood in Western Massachusetts. So, months ago, we arranged for a kind and gracious overnight babysitter for our boys and made our way, in the rain, to Lenox, MA. Amy – the consummate planner in our household – had made dinner reservations before the concert. And we arrived in plenty of time to eat dinner before the concert. Right after our entrees arrived, I looked over to see that a couple was sitting down at the table next to us. When I saw who they were, I said, “Get out of town!” And when they looked and saw who we were they said, “Hello neighbors!” Here we were – a three hour drive from home – and the folks who sat down next to us were two of our neighbors, Will and Angie, who live in the next block over from us in Manchester! “Are y’all here for the concert, too?” I asked. “Yes,” they said, “but didn’t you hear? The concert has been cancelled due to ‘unforeseen circumstances.’” “What!?!?!??” we said. “Yes,” they said. “It stinks that we came all this way, but since we’re here. . . and you’re here. . . let’s hang out!”
We could have gotten angry about missing the concert, but there was nothing we could do. Instead, we sat with our neighbors and laughed, and learned a little bit more about them, and gave thanks for such a serendipitous meeting.
There are so many things that are out of our control, but sometimes we are surprised by serendipitous grace.
Last week in this space, I shared some of the good news about the Safi Family – the family from Afghanistan that we have been supporting since November of 2021. This past Sunday evening, we had the privilege of welcoming the Safis to our home. Malalai and her five (5!) sons came over to play in the yard, spend time with some of the members of the Neighborhood Support Team, and eat supper. It was a beautiful evening – weather-wise and otherwise. The two oldest Safi boys – who are entering 2nd and 3rd grade – brought their football to throw and a blue bat to hit a few whiffle balls. Our older son, Samuel, had the soccer net all set up and ready to play. Our younger son, Elliot, spent some quality time in the sandbox with the middle Safi son. It turns out that no matter where you’re from, digging in a sandbox can provide hours of enjoyment for children. Some things are just universal for kids.
For example, we had these fun stomp rockets that involve stomping on a plastic bladder and shooting some rockets up into the air. Both our sons and the Safi boys were interested in seeing how far they could shoot the rockets. Of course, they were delighted when some of the rockets landed on the roof of the house. I had to get out the ladder two different times to remove the rockets from the roof, but it was all good and fun.
Malalai spent most of the time watching after her two youngest boys – 18 month old twins – who were dressed alike and both enjoyed rolling some cars and trucks around, along with riding our tricycle and a few other things. All in all, the Sawyer boys and the Safi boys simply had a lot of fun being kids, together. And the members of the NST and Malalai had a lot of fun not having to think too much about Malalai’s impending immigration hearings and Agashirin’s detention down in Texas as he awaits deportation to a country that does not have a diplomatic relationship with our own.
So many things are out of our control, but the gift of hospitality is something that we can control. It is God who is the source of all grace, but this grace is a free gift that we can share with all. . .
Sometimes, there are unforeseen circumstances. Maybe they’re inconvenient. Maybe they’re downright tragic. But God gives us moments that are filled with grace and helps to see us through with the love and light that come only from God. I am so thankful for encountering two such moments this past week.
What moments of grace have you experienced, recently?
See you in church!
Grace and Peace,
John
PS – Only TWO Sundays left in our “Foundations of Presbyterian Polity Summer Sermon Series!” I’ve learned some new things along the way and hope that you have, too! 🙂
Prepare for Worship
This Week: “Ambassadors of Love” (Foundations of Presbyterian Polity – Week 7)
Read Psalm 138
Read John 13:31-35
Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
Read Hymn # 773 – “Heaven Shall Not Wait”
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