Milestones (from the May Newsletter)

In the ancient Roman world, stones were set up every so far to mark how far you had traveled, and to let you know that you were still on the right path. In Israel, I've seen these markers along ancient paths, and sometimes if you look closely you can still make out the markings. Today, we use street signs and GPS coordinates for the same purpose: check your path, know how far you've come, and aim toward the future.

Those ancient stones were called "milestones," and in our language, that word has been adopted not just for travelers on the road, but also for travelers through life. We use that word to describe significant events that take place, events that remind us how far we have come but also tell us how far we have to go.

In our family, we are in a time of life where many, many milestones are about to pop up. This month, for instance, Cathy and I will celebrate twenty-five years of marriage. I give God thanks every day for her, for the ways she makes my life sweeter, for the ways she makes me a better person. It hasn't always been easy, but it has been good. I know it sounds trite, but it really does seem like just yesterday we said, "I do." Where did twenty-five years go?

The last eighteen years have been devoted to raising our children, and in June, another milestone will pop up when Christopher walks across the stage at Portage High School to receive his diploma. We are very proud to have our son graduating from PHS, and yet it's a little nerve-wracking worrying and wondering about the next stage in his life (which will, by the way, include Purdue University Calumet).

At about the time he's starting in college, Rachel will be passing her own milestone, as she begins as a freshman at Portage High School. My baby...starting high school? Seriously, where did those years go?

I'll also be starting my tenth year here as your pastor in July, and my twenty-second year as a pastor in the Indiana Conference. Lots of milestones to look at, to ponder, and to try not to hurry past. These are significant moments, moments when I celebrate God's grace. Because it's only by God's grace that I have made it this far...and only by that same grace that I will be able to move into the future. It's all grace, and it's all good.

I'll see you Sunday at the celebration place!

Pastor Dennis