Reunion (Annecks)

If you know anything about me, you know that I love reunions.  I am not a fan of connecting with someone, and then being separated from them for long periods of time (though it seems to be happening more and more in my life).  So today was an especially good day because I had the opportunity for two reunions: one with Mandi, a member of my Forge family; and Marty, a truly godly man if I ever saw one.

Martin Patrick O'Connor was one of our speakers last year during the Forge, and he also served as our tour guide on our journey through Israel.  Let me tell you, you haven't traveled until you've gone to Israel with Marty.  Some phrases you are bound to hear on such a trip: "Come, friends;"  "Keep drinking" (water, that is);  "Big, BIG day;"  and "How big is your God?"  For those of you who have been on a trip with Marty, you know what I mean when I say that he makes the trip what it is.  It is no "sight-seeing" trip, but a spiritual journey through the land of God.  I really can't get too far into discussing my trip to Israel with Marty, because we could be here for days.  Suffice it to say it was the single best trip I've ever been on; and hardly a day goes by when I don't think about it or something I learned there.

Anyway, back to the reunion.  After much discussion last night between me and Chauncey about where to take Marty for lunch today, we finally ended up at Cheddar's.  Because of a little miscommunication between me and Chauncey, I ended up at the restaurant about 20 minutes before the rest of the crew.  So I decided to take this God-given opportunity to grab a little peace in the midst of my busy day. 

I'm gonna take this moment to chase a rabbit trail, because I'm the one blogging and I guess that's my prerogative.  (And it has some bearing on the rest of the story, I think).  In recent weeks I have been thinking a lot about the word "shalom."  It is generally translated into English as "peace," but in Hebrew it goes so much further.  It carries connotations of well-being, quietness, rest and completeness.  As Christians, it is something we are given through the blood of Christ ("And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" -Phil 4:7).  I am also learning that I need to be still, both in body and in spirit, at points throughout the day in order to maintain this shalom.  So, being gifted with these 20 or so minutes at the restaurant, I decided to be still before the Lord and feast on His shalom.

Chauncey, Mandi and Mary finally arrived, and we all sat down at our table.  The rest seems like a blur.  There were so many thoughts and emotions to go with this reunion that none of us could seem to find where to begin.  We had so much to say to this man who had spoken so much into our lives; we had so much to say to this man who has been such a blessing in our lives; we had so much to say to this man who has inspired us with his life of faith and obedience.  We had so much to say that we could hardly say anything at all.  I know for myself there were a lot of moments I caught myself saying nothing at all because I was remembering things he had taught me, or digesting things he had just said.  His prayer alone brought back visions of that trip to Israel and all that God accomplished in me during those 10 days. 

As if that weren't enough, the blessing continued.  I had been sharing with the table about what God is teaching me now about peace and shalom, and about the importance of being still before the Lord in order to hear Him.  Marty then tells us all about what God has been teaching him about having God's peace in his life.  It's not so much about just having pockets of peace during the day where we are still before the Lord, but about allowing God to fill us with His peace throughout the day.  It's not so much about removing yourself from the world to find peace (although that is a good thing to do from time to time), but about not letting the busyness of the world creep into your heart and steal your shalom.  Sometimes Jesus removed himself from the crowds; sometimes he was too busy to eat.  Sometimes he took time to get away and rest; and sometimes he didn't sleep all night because he was doing so much.  The secret was that He kept His communion with the Lord, and the shalom of God never left His heart.  It should be the same with us--never too busy nor too late, but letting the shalom of God always fill our hearts as we stay in constant communion with Him.

I soon found my mouth shut once again, this time as I began to process all that Marty had just said.  The lunch ended pretty soon after that, as Matt wanted Marty back by 2:00 (and Chauncey didn't want to be on Matt's bad side again).  And as if all that had happened thus far wasn't enough, the blessing continued: Marty grabbed the check before any of us could even flinch.  It was a quick hug and goodbye in the parking lot, with me missing the opportunity to pray for this man of God before he continued on his journey, and then he was gone yet again. 

As it is with so many encounters I've had with Marty, I will probably be unpacking the conversation for weeks to come.  His comments about shalom, his wrestling with the question of "How big are your prayers?", and his discussion about relationships, Adam, and Eve are still ringing in my ear.  I can only imagine the ways God will use these words in my life in the coming weeks. 

And so for now, I say so long Martin Patrick O'Connor.  Thank you for the many blessings you have given to me.  Your words to us have been both encouraging and humbling to me and my fellow Forge family, and the example of faith and obedience that you set in your own life is inspiring.  I pray safe travels to you as you go back to Michigan, and especially as you lead another group of eager young hearts on the journey of a lifetime.  May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make His face shine upon and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn His countenance upon you and give you peace.  Shalom aleichem, friend.

-Annecks