From the Pastor's Desk
Reverend David Kaul
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.”
- John 14:1-6
“Hold on tight to your dreams!”
Dear friends in Christ,
In John 14:1-6, Jesus tells us, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me."
One of my life's dreams was on the event of Joan's and my 35th wedding anniversary I would take my family on a trip to Hawaii. For those of you who are new to this fulfilling dreams business, let me express an eternal truth. Whether it is running in the Olympics or climbing a mountain or having a family or making the team or financing a "Make a Wish" for someone else. Your dreams are going to cost you something in time, effort and money! You will expend significant energy. You might even hurt as you sacrifice or it isn't much of a dream. Don't assume that because it's a dream that the universe is going to cooperate. Fulfilling a dream is never easy!
In stark contrast to Jesus' words about worry and not being troubled, the dream trip was pretty difficult. Our daughters flew over on the last flight of Aloha Airlines. They just deposited them and closed their doors forever! We would spend the first two days of their one week vacation on the phone talking to ticket agents trying to line up a one way ticket for the flight home. Then on Wednesday, ATA went down. Our eight joined the ranks of the now 8,992 stranded people that ATA and Aloha flew over each day from the mainland. Some of you who like to turn lemons into lemonade might say, "Such a place to be stranded!" Did I tell you that milk costs $5.50 a gallon, gas is $4.09 per gallon, studio apartments that sleep two were cut to half price - now $150 a night. We had the 2 bedroom at the Sands of Kahana for a week. Then there was 7 day contract for the rental car! This could take more time! We would spend the next 3 days trying to arrange one way airfare home. It had the potential of doubling our costs! Panic ensued as flights closed every time we pushed the Orbitz buy button. The next flight would come up $600 more ... per person. Now take that times 8! Dreams will cost you something. But that is how it should be! Dreams should press us, ask something of us, push us toward the new!
My dream was to give the family something they had never experienced! This wasn't what I had in mind! The strength of the family started to rise as we took turns holding the phone waiting for the next available agent. We asked, "How could this vacation be rescued?" We prayed together. We laughed. We worried but not alone! And Hawaii did not disappoint. Humpback whales filled the waters with spouts and breeches and head thrusts. When we snorkeled the oceans teamed with all colors and sizes of fish. We ate cheeseburgers at an ocean front restaurant called "Cheeseburgers in Paradise." The road to Hana still had all of its interesting curves and beautiful lush rain forest vegetation. You have not tasted pineapple or seen a prettier sunset or walk on the beach with your spouse of 35 years or enjoyed devotions with your family or worshiped God with Don and Iris Grief on a Sunday morning in their 8th floor penthouse unit until you've come to Maui. You've not known excitement until you've heard the voice of your three year old grandson above the roar of the jet engine at take off, "Here we go!" or shed grandfather tears at the gentle blessing of your 6 year old granddaughter as you fly home, "Mahalo, Maui". It is Hawaiian for, "Thank you, Maui!"
And overhear another woman four seats away with tattoos and a bad sunburn quietly echo, "Yes, Mahalo Maui!" as she too reflects on her experience immersed in the magic of the ocean mist in a land called Hanali!"
Don't give up on your dreams people of God. Our Lord places them in our minds for a reason. Climb the mountain, go on the mission trip, raise the family, it won't be easy, its going to cost you something. You'll only know its full value when you're finished! Psalm 139:14, 15, 16.
Mahalo,
P. Dave