Twenty-Eight

 I turned 28 today.

Now I know I did this last year, and I know I don't blog a lot (pastoral ministry comes before blogging of course!) but as I said previously, birthdays are a great mental reset.

It has been a big year. I was ordained. I got my first call. We moved across the country and into a new house. These are all exciting things that happened, worthy of big celebrations (which also happened this year).

So when Teresa asked me this morning, "What do you want to do for your birthday today?" there was really only one answer.

I wanted to go have breakfast with my wife.

So that is what we did.

I think that is the biggest thing that I learned in year 27 (I guess it was actually year 28, but whatever, being 27 and saying it was year 27 sounds better!). I learned that simple things are not always just simple things. They are sometimes the most important things.

A Bible verse that I have been coming back to all year long is John 21:12. This is after the crucifixion, after the resurrection, after Jesus has appeared to the disciples. All these big things have happened, and John and several of the disciples come across Jesus on the sea shore.They are so excited to Jesus, and they knew it was Jesus. The resurrected Christ could do anything, say anything, ask them to do anything that he wanted. But what does Jesus do? 

He cooks them breakfast!

Jesus cooks the disciples breakfast, and in John 21:12, Jesus simply states, "Come and have breakfast."

(In case ya didn't know, Jesus is the coolest guy ever.)

Christ invites us into the simplicity of life. Christ had these simple moments, even after the resurrection. Christ calls us to enjoy every single moment, no matter how small. I think that is exactly what Christ was doing on that beach on the Sea of TiberiasYes, those big moments in life can touch us to our core, and, for me, I will always remember them. I cried at my ordination (and then again at my installation at Cedar Falls). My wife and I celebrated being in our first house. But there are simple snapshots from this year that will stick with me as well.

Sitting in an empty sanctuary after worship talking preaching with a friend and mentor. Having lunch with coworkers, and receiving my first stole from them. Trying (and succeeding) in eating a massive four pound burger with 12 strips of bacon and seven fried eggs with some of my closest friends. Enjoying a beer with  new friends on their porch late into the night, enjoying an impromptu graduation celebration. Getting to reconnect with an old friend and mentor in Columbus. Walking around the streets of Savannah, and laying on the beach of Tybee Island. Serving my grandmother communion. Sitting around with family after my ordination and sharing pizza. Learning about the Bible and theology from some of the wisest people I've ever known. Building a deck with my dad. Building a fence with my friends. Watching a friend's toddler destroy a birthday cake. Getting to know and meet all the wonderful people at my first church, as the bless us with hospitality beyond our wildest imaginations. Talking church around the communion table with three former pastors of the church that I now serve. Celebrating with old friends as two friends join together in marriage. Finding new places, in a new state, where God has created all sorts of beautiful landscapes. Countless other moments with friends, mentors, and family that I will treasure forever.

And having breakfast with my wife on my birthday.

Friends, don't let the simple stuff pass you by. Because it is in the simplest of moments where life's true beauty can be manifested.  Yes, the big stuff is great too, but God walks with us all the time; in moments both big and small.