Accidental Pastor

I find it difficult to find contentment. How about you? I know that there are those who practice living in the present, being satisfied with the status quo, remaining calm and peaceful, and experiencing "joy." I just don’t seem to be one of those people.

I am always looking at the present in terms of the things that need to change in order that a "better" future might be attained. There are certain subjects that I really get worked up about. For example, the state of the church in America. Another example, the state of organizations that I have once been a part of. Even though my current involvement is minimal, or in some cases, non-existent, I think I could actually froth at the mouth without trying very hard!

Some folks take medication for this kind of condition. I have not found a magic pill that will take away this discontent. Maybe I could at least be nicer about these things that make me downright angry. Ah well, these are the kinds of reflections that are crossing my mind on the eve of 2008!

[My sister, Liz Wear, snapped this photo of me as I was waxing on at the annual Christmas eve gathering at my father’s house.]

Having friends, true friends, is kind of a rare thing, I think. I have been blessed over my life to have some really close friendships. You know the kind I am talking about. While you may not be spending much time together, even if there are months of separation, or lack of contact, you can almost pick up the conversation right where you left off.

One of my more recent friends is a guy named Scott Bane. I met him as I was working for Steve Sjogren over the past couple of years. Scott is one of those unique people who just oozes integrity. He is well-educated, hardworking and knows the Bible inside and out. These are excellent qualities in a Christ-follower, but they are especially good in a pastor.

He’s been going through some physical ailments for years and more acutely over the last several weeks. I really didn’t understand how tough the sledding has been until I read his blog post today. Before you think this is a plea for sympathy, it is not. His post was making the point that most of us need someone who will "just listen" to the stuff we are going through.

From his post:

I am more convinced than ever that one of the greatest failures of the church is our unwillingness to listen to people.  We already know how to fix them so why would we care to hear the unique details of their story?  If you have ears to hear it, you’ll notice the way people try to tell you their story long before you’ve even given them reason to believe you’d listen.  They are so lonely, feeling like no one understands the way they feel, that they will start spilling their guts to almost anyone.  This is a vicious cycle because each person they tell that does not truly listen only perpetuates the isolation and the heartache.  They go through life feeling as if no one knows and no one understands so they begin to believe that no one cares.

Do you see what I mean? That is deep stuff. Well, one of the things I have to be thankful for in 2007 is that I have had a good friend named Scott Bane to listen to me.

Things have been a whirlwind since we have returned to California. I have renewed friendships, and broadened my client base. And I have been working very hard to keep up with everything coming my way. Tonight I have been burning the midnight oil getting ready for a big case tomorrow. Hopefully the eye of the storm will come soon!

The trip from Tucson to Moreno Valley, CA was not uneventful. Just about 30 miles from Quartzite, Arizona we blew a tire on the trailer holding our minivan. U-haul came to the rescue and two hours later we were back on the road. We pulled into our new home and were asleep on the air mattress by 9 p.m. We had about 9 hours on the road that day!

I spent yesterday working with a client. This morning it is RAINING! Good for the wildfire problems, bad for moving in! Ah well, this is life…

We are leaving Las Cruces, NM. Tonight in Tucson!

If all goes well we will leave Texas today. Not that I don’t like Texas. It just seems to go on and on forever. Compared to the rest of the journey, New Mexico will be a blink of the eye. However, I don’t think we will be through New Mexico before we stop for the night. It won’t be long now and we will hit the road.

On any trip cross-country by car or truck one thing for sure that you learn is that Texas is a big state! We have had rainy weather since leaving Sulfur, LA and on into San Antonio, Texas last night. We replenished our wardrobe at Wal-Mart (underwear and T-shirts, didn’t pack enough for a seven-day trip!). Had a great Mexican meal and then retired to Hampton Inn for the night.

This morning we got on the road in good time and crossed over into snow-covered territory about 100 miles outside of beautiful Ft. Stockton, Texas, where, surprisingly enough, there is another Hampton Inn. This is our fifth night in this Hilton-owned franchise and we are enjoying them very much. They are nearly all pretty new, so that is a plus, and they serve a passable breakfast. Here are Loretta and Ben in the truck parking area outside the IHOP in Ft. Stockton.

California Pizza Kitchen…bliss!

It nearly took all day, but just a few miles out of Pensacola, FL we stopped for Thanksgiving dinner at Cracker Barrell. Then it was onward to Mobile, Alabama and a Hampton Inn for the night. I have discovered that I really don’t like to drive after dark. Must have something to do with my advanced age! Ben and I just finished breakfast and we are going to wander back up to the room to see if Loretta is ready to face another day sitting in the spacious and comfortable seats of our U-Haul truck.

Ridiculously dumb husband that I am, I didn’t take into account that my sweet wife would want to clean the house within an inch of it’s life! That was fine because I spent the last couple of days loading our minivan so that it looks like the excess inventory of a traveling caravan of gypsies! No offense intended to the gypsies. We got on the road this evening and pulled into our first stop in Gainesville, Florida.

This is an enormous accomplishment that couldn’t have happened without the help of a lot of people including my Dad and Stepmom, my friend Scott and new friend Blayne and our extra special next door neighbors Mark and Z. My luggage was lashed to the roof of the minivan by an authentic Ranger. I have a scout’s honor in knots, but all that means is that I can remember sheep shank and bowline.

I know that there are many friends who pray for us regularly and I thank each and everyone of you as well. Tomorrow, Cracker Barrell turkey and onward to Alabama or wherever we can make it.