Kiefer, You know it buddy!

At last year's Emmy awards, Kiefer Sutherland opened his thank you speech with this line.

"SOMETIMES, YOU HAVE A NIGHT WHERE YOU ARE REMINDED THAT YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN TOO MUCH. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS."

Yesterday, was one of those days for me.
Yesterday morning, I rode my bike down the aisle of our church to the pulpit to announce the kick off of the fund-raising of our church. I made the ride and the corner turn without nicking any pews or taking out the 40"LCD monitor at the front. I got to stand at the front with my co-rider and mentor, John Vandersteen, and thank them for their support so far and to announce what our needs are for the next few months.
Their response was completely open and embracing. After church, so many people came over to congratulate me and encourage me for the ride and the journey that I am on. They offered their blessings, support and love. Then John V, John De Witt and I biked out to Arva together to join the gang at our congregational picnic. All along our way people honked and waved as they passed us, then applauded as we arrived. John V then came up beside me to comment that my gearing is perfect.(It was like Wayne Gretzky saying- Nice Shot!)The picnic gave me a chance to hand out cookies and chat with people one on one. Again I was overwhelmed with support, encouragement and plenty of cookie orders! We all discussed just how much things have changed. 2 yrs ago I didn't know anyone, really. I wasn't even at the picnic as it was the week that Mom died. Several people I met for the first time at last year's picnic and are now good friends, George & Robin, Art & Heather, Sharon, Erica & John just to name a few. And some I have grown to know and love throughout the year, Heather & Ben, John & Irene, Will & Erica, Ben & Joanne, Hannah and Erin.
It comes as a surprise to no one that I haven't always fit in with the crowd. Even now I have one of those polar personalities that people either love or hate. So it's amazing how smoothly this relationship with the community at First CRC has developed. How warmly they have embraced me. How open they are to my differences. How forgiving they are of my faults and short-comings. Yesterday, I didn't know how to respond when Joanne asked me "Just when did you become so cool?" Whoa! When did I become cool? I'm just thankful that God surrounds me with amazing people who find this loud, opinionated and quirky girl cool. When did the geeky, fat kid who was usually the last picked for the team become the cyclist riding across the continent?
When does love and acceptance become not surprising? Maybe never so that I never forget that it is a special gift. A gift of grace that I need to give back.