September 5, 2013 | 38 Years

That’s a long time

“38 years.” That’s what the man said. He just stared at me with a shocked face and said again, “38 years.”

We were on a rather extensive flight last week and I had gotten up to stretch my legs and visit the head [nautical speak for the little pastor’s room at the rear of the plane.] Reaching the crew area, I noticed the flight attendants scurrying around under the spell of the witching hour – picking up all the lunch leftovers and getting the galley ready for the next snack. In that maelstrom of movement, a moan split the air. “Oh no! Get the rubber gloves.”

This sad cry came from a female flight attendant backing out of one of the restrooms. The steward caught my eye and sighed as he dug out the gloves. I stuck out my hand and said, “Here. You guys are swamped. Let me clean the bathroom for you.”

That led to the repeated statement regarding XXXVIII years. He followed up with, “I have been doing this for 38 years, and no one has ever volunteered to clean the bathroom.”

Turns out no real cleaning was needed. While I was prepared to battle airsickness combined with exploding diapers, the attendant had overreacted to a simple clogged sink. No more than ten seconds were required for all to be set right. The witching hour of busyness passed and activity slowed to that odd tranquility only experienced by tried people sitting still while their vehicle hurtles through the air at 600 miles per hour.

I read two books, took a nap, and dutifully ate my succession of snacks. Interestingly, each snack was delivered by a different flight attendant. Each wanted to thank me for being willing to help. Truly, there are no secrets on a ship! And in those brief chats, I was able to naturally refer to God’s love. Then at dinner time, Janna and I were surprised by a special delivery business class dinner, including – this was astonishing – real silverware.

Of course none of that is why you and I offer to clean restrooms. We do so because love is the ultimate goal of all God’s work in our souls. We love for no reward because that’s how we are loved by God. Yet one of the realities of love is exposed in that real silverware: love often engenders more love.

This coming Sunday, we get to dive in to a new short series at our church, “In the name of love.” It will be online atwww.friscobible.com each week and on All The Difference radio [www.allthedifference.us] this coming winter. And as always, our church would love to share worship in person if you are in the North Texas area.