Living Thankfully

Last night, in my Ash Wednesday sermon, I suggested that Lent is an opportunity to respond in thankfulness to the gift of each day that God gives to us. (I just posted the sermon on the website. Go to www.saintstephenlutheran.net, click on "Our Pastor," and then click on sermons.)

Some examples of living thankfully --

I am thankful that I made excellent progress on this Sunday's sermon yesterday, so I wouldn't need to spend much time on it this morning. I am thankful that I woke up today at 5:00 AM, and I woke up healthy! I am thankful that I don't have to be in a particular place to do my work, so I got up and worked at home from 5:00 - 7:00 AM. I am thankful that the Book Mobile was scheduled to visit the Pre-School this morning, so I didn't have to be in at 9:45 to do chapel. I am thankful that the morning dawned with sunshine. Because of all those circumstances, which I received as pure gift ...

... I was able to take the time to ride on my bicycle to the Chickahominy River and back (20 miles) before coming into the office this morning.

On my way back from the river, I saw a cyclist up ahead cutting across one of the fallow fields and turning onto the bike path. I had an idea who it might be that time of morning, and I caught up with him, and -- yes! It was Randy Punchard of our congregation. We rode together and talked for five minutes or so. (Can I count that as a pastoral visit?) A few months ago Randy retired from his job (mostly because he had a new boss who specialized in tyranny), gave up the company car, and replaced it with a bicycle. These days, Randy works at the Jamestown Island Glass House, welcoming visitors, interpreting what's going on, and working in the gift shop. He commutes from his house by bicycle.

Speaking of bicycle commuting, the City of Williamsburg quarterly glossy newsletter has a feature on Reed Nester of our congregation, who commuted to work 100 times in 2008. There are a few paragraphs of text and a picture of Reed in his office, his commuting bike leaning up next to his desk!

Reed has inspired me. Today was the 20th time I commuted to the church building by bicycle -- so I'm on track for 100 commutes this year. Reed's goal is 120 bicycle commutes in 2009. Of course, Randy puts us both to shame. He commutes on two wheels every day!