May 30, 2017. Eureka Springs, AR. The best laid plans............

We did start the Play on Saturday and as the screaming crowd started up the Via to the crucifixion, the rain started falling in torrents and there was lightening and thunder in the immediate vicinity. The music score abruptly stopped and the Play was over. Jesus wept, many of the cast wept and I'm sure many in the audience, who would not be able to come back on Sunday night or later in the season, wept.
It's sad when we have to cancel a performance because it means plans made need to be altered, a long-anticipated experience becomes a disappointment, or a chance to change a person's spiritual direction is derailed or possibly lost. The Passion Play is a powerful depiction of the last week of the life of Jesus Christ. It affects people deeply, even those of us who have been part of it for many years. My life has been transformed by our decision to volunteer here in 2014, 2015, 2016 and again this year. We have acquired new skills, made close friends, grown in our faith and watched others grow in theirs. We have ministered to others and been ministered to by them. We see God from a new and different perspective, and feel that He has turned our ideas of "retirement" upside down, so that we have put our plans in the background and moved His to the forefront. At times we think we have a "better plan", but in every case we step back and let Him take the lead.
We've had a group of young people and their leaders from New Albany, MS here since Sunday and they have been helping us with a variety of projects. Two of our young adult interns are getting to supervise some of the work projects and many people are learning new skills, making new friends, growing in their faith and watching others grow in theirs. Sounds like something I've said before........
God's plans are so much better than our best plans. His impact on our life and the lives of those around us are so far superior to anything we can imagine. If we just accept His love, freely receive His grace and mercy, rest in the peace of His presence and the gift of His salvation.......the best is yet to come. Thank You, Lord.


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