Last Day at NPC

This was written a few days ago, on our last morning at the National Pastor's Convention in San Diego.

February 13, 2009

I’ve been awakened before 5am for the past 3 days. I assume it’s due to the time change – coming from Eastern into Pacific this week – but I realized this morning that may not be the reason. During this week I’ve come to the realization that I am called to continue writing, even if it never goes anywhere but this laptop My Documents file. I must recognize that just maybe this is God waking me up to have time to write. I have so many thoughts when I lay in bed and this might be the perfect time to get them out onto “paper”. I say might because the time doesn't seem so perfect to me - I really do love my sleep.

This week has been life-changing. I’ve met some of the most amazing people and they have each impacted me in different ways. There’s the mother of three and firefighter’s wife who wishes the members of her church were less concerned about the building itself and more concerned about the people inside, the girl who thinks about telling her mother-in-law she has no ovaries so she’ll stop being harassed about having kids, the best friends who thought they’d never be senior pastors and in the past year have found themselves taken away from one another to do just that – senior pastor, the youth ministers who exercised in improper footwear and were given new hope for their drug-addicted cousin, the couple who believe in community with all their heart and desire to see God change their small town in big ways, the women who ran this whole convention and never hesitated to serve so many others. These people are extraordinary in ordinary ways and I’ve come to love and appreciate them all. I did not come here to listen to the speakers and authors as much as I believe I came here to be changed by the voice of God and the touch of these individuals. This group has reminded me that God works in the lives of so many different people, that He is working at levels I can’t even begin to comprehend. I probably should read more of the books they offer, but why would I want books when God is leading me by using the people He loves?

Thank you, everyone who made this trip possible for us. We have so enjoyed getting to know each of you and hope this won’t be the first and last time we meet.