Today was a great day! Every year at this time, our church hosts a community fall festival. We are a large church, one of the largest in our community, here in the Golden Isles of coastal Georgia. Because we are, we can do "big and good" very well. But that's not why it was a good day, because a big church did a big thing. The REASON we do it, is WHY it is so wonderful.We do it because we love God, and we express that by loving our community. What I saw today was the result of weeks and weeks of planning, many people serving, and joyous hearts giving because God loves us, and we are compelled by love to share that with others.
It was a mad house out at Mary Ross Park today. There were a couple of square miles of people, over half of them, wide-eyed, energetic children. There were young people and older people (like me), making cotton candy, painting faces, running game booths and overseeing inflatable rides. There were smoke-filled eyes over hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill, feet hurrying along the cakewalk, tongues tasting creamy, crunchy apple pie, German chocolate cake, and the grand-prize winning chocolate pumpkin cake. The wind was high, the rain and the gnats stayed away and the church came together with the community to give them a big bear hug in the form of a day of fun, topped off with a free concert!
As we were leaving, a new couple visiting our Sunday School class today marveled at the size of the event, and all the participation by our people, and everything that was shared, free of cost. My wise husband explained, "We are a big, blessed church. With that comes a lot of responsibility." Amen to that!
But with that responsibility, there is also opportunity for fun! Jaaaaaahooooooo!
