A couple of days ago I attended a retirement party for a couple that is extremely dear to me - Pastor Ron and Margo Traub. They have been my pastors for.....well....for forever.
My family began attending 1st Assembly of God church when I was 3 years old and it was often at the forefront of family activity. In other words, it was our second home for many, many years! We were at church for every service, as my mom didn't think there was any good excuse to miss - even for homework :). So every Sunday morning, every Sunday night, every Wednesday night..............the Swanson family shuffled in like a small herd.
As I was sitting at the retirement party yesterday and seeing faces from throughout the years and watching the slideshow that chronicled the Traubs 29 years of service........I couldn't help but reflect on the barrage of memories that were being drawn up. That church and its people are tied to a plethora of my memories.
- It's where I would sit and play in the orange chairs when we used to have church in the gym....before the sanctuary was built. I often went and sat by Dorothy Elliot because she would bring fun toys!
- It's where I first began singing at the age of 3; "Jesus Loves Me", anyone?
- It's where us kids would play Hide and Go Seek as we waited for our parents to pick us up from Kid's Church
- It's where I was a flower girl in my cousin's wedding and got to wear a pretty dress with flowers in my hair and walk down the aisle with the ring "bear"
- It's where I became an expert explorer when the new sanctuary was being built and we would wander through the construction site
- It's where I watched my older siblings perform in the youth group plays and wished I could be that cool
- It's where I played in the sanctuary while waiting for my parents during countless music practices, throwing my Barbies off of the balcony
- It's where we spent Sunday nights, then headed out after church with a regular crew to meet at Rolling Pin
- It's where I met my best friend.....standing outside the nursery when we were 7 years old and my dad was selling hers a house. She pulled my hair and told me I was her best friend. 22 years later - we are still best friends!
- It's where I said a final goodbye to my big brother Matt - his funeral was held there in October 1995
- It's where I performed in a play when I was 14 years old, which led to me later sitting in my car with my mom in the driveway and praying to rededicate my life to God
- It's where we would leave for camps bright and early Monday morning being all cute and clean....and return Friday afternoon disheveled, inspired, and wearing whatever was packed at the bottom of the suitcase
- It's where we used to turn off all the lights and play Sardines throughout the entire church building
- It's where I participated in Singing Christmas Tree after Singing Christmas Tree......I was at various times a little girl waking up Christmas morning, a ballerina, a choir member, Mary, and a teenager up in an attic.......
- It's where we spent countless hours playing pool in the youth room
- It's where I would shake with nerves every time I got up to sing a solo
- It's where we honed our skills for Fine Arts Festivals
- It's where we worked to pull off the Valentine Dinner Theaters
- It's where we had Graduation Sunday and I received the Bible that would become awfully marked up during my college years
- It's where I got married to the love of my life
- It's where we returned after several years away and were welcomed back with open arms
- It's where I got to sing with my husband while he led worship
- It's where we dedicated our son to God
Looking back on these many memories has reminded me just how God has used the church to
nurture me,
mature me,
comfort me,
discipline me,
teach me,
love me.
I keep thinking of "The Giving Tree", and the tree that kept sacrificing pieces of itself in order to care for the boy it loved. In many ways, that is what the church has been for me. It is chock full of people who have sacrificed their time and given their talents so that I and many other children could grow in the knowledge of God.
I get downright giddy when I think of how incredibly grateful I am to be able to provide Finn with that same support system.
And now it is my turn. It is my turn to give and sacrifice so that others will know how MUCH God loves them.
Shoo-ee His love is extravagant! I get emotional even thinking about it. That is what people need to know.
I wish I knew how best to thank people like the Traubs who poured into my life.
I can't say for certain what they would prefer, but I venture to say that the best 'thank you' they could ever receive is seeing a life they poured into living for God's glory.
So to my parents and the Traubs and my children's pastors, youth pastors, Sunday School teachers, and many many others...............
THANK YOU.
well said!!!
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