A couple of days ago I returned from Ohio where my friend and former roommate from college, Tim Stahl, married the woman of his dreams. It was the best wedding I’ve ever been to. The pastor said a few very great points about covenant, he led them in communion and then had the bridal party pray over Tim and Christine. Afterward there was good food and wine, catching up with close friends, laughing and dancing. It was an all-around fantastic wedding. I wish Tim and Christine the best as they venture into this new and exciting life together.
The past three weeks I’ve been home have been wonderful in catching up with old friends from high school, college, and even my earliest stages of childhood with the Watsons. And of course, it’s been great to hang out with the family as I haven’t had the privilege of doing – at least to this degree – in about two years.
Two days ago my dad turned 51. The family got together yesterday to celebrate his life by going to see the movie UP followed by dinner at Little Italy, our family’s favorite and one of two restaurants I think about and miss quite a bit while I’m away. We reflected on my dad’s life, telling funny stories of the family playing hide and go seek, us kids looking for him for nearly an hour while he hid in the AC vent, adventures in “froggy fly” and other childhood games. Nostalgia comes and goes as we remember stories of the Barnes family’s early days, and goes as we embrace today that we have together.
UP was stellar. It seems every time I see a Pixar film I wonder how they’re going to top this one. I found myself wondering that again in this film.
For those of you who haven’t seen the film and are planning on doing so, I’ll try not to give away much and be as vague as possible here while still saying what I’d like to say. It is a story about an old man, Mr. Fredrickson, going on the adventure of a lifetime in his house carried by helium-filled balloons, and the mishaps along the way. At one point he finds himself at his destination only to realize life has thrown him a curve ball. He realizes what is really important in life and throws away all of his material possessions to get it. It’s a wonderful scene filled with shattered glass, dumped couches, lamps, tables and kitchen appliances like trash. They were literally bringing him down and preventing him from getting what he knew to be important.
I really appreciated Mr. Fredrickson when he did that. It reminded me a lot of America and the way mortgages, household items, pets, land, and just stuff ties us down and prevents us from doing what God is asking us to do. Not to say God is asking you to give it all up and move to Africa. But if he did, would you be prepared to do so? When life, or God, throws you a curve, will you be able to dump it all and go? Or will you be too wrapped up in surrounding yourself with your own securities? Mr. Fredrickson took his house with him, the Kayes took some of their stuff with them, but they both answered the call. And if you asked them, I’m sure they wouldn’t trade their new lives for anything.
This morning my dad wrote about transition and “checking yourself”. I think that’s a good challenge. I’m checking myself today.
