Remembering why I said 'yes'

Recently I went to an ordination. I got to be present when a new pastor made her vows, promised to be faithful, put on her stole. I was thinking about how tired I get, sometimes. I was thinking about how everyone says the church is declining, on its way out. I thought back to the weekend before.

It had been a busy Saturday at church. While preparations were underway for a large wedding in the sanctuary, I was preparing for the evening chapel service, where I was preaching and presiding.

There were also going to be three baptisms at the evening service. At the appropriate time, children, parents ,and a host of godparents showed up for the pre-baptism preparation and a little bit of rehearsal. There were two brothers and a little girl, and more baptismal sponsors than I could keep track of.