It’s early Friday morning. The house is quiet – except for when Grizzly (Adam’s dog) jostles Jayden’s cheerleader doll. Then there is a moment of apprehension as I fear that everyone will awaken. Fortunately, things settle back down.
So in this moment of calm, I find myself surfing the web and looking at Twitter trending topics. And what do I see in this list? Apparently, Lance Armstrong has been accused of doping – again. This time, it’s Tyler Hamilton that levels the charges. Last time, it was Floyd Landis. And the time before that it was Frankie Andreu.
I don’t think I ought to comment on this one.  But everyone who knows me knows that I am compelled to comment.  Lance Armstrong is a hero of mine.  His story represents the triumph of the human spirit over insurmountable odds.  Is the news story true?  Who knows?  Is the news story anything new?  Obviously not.  And whether Tyler’s story is true or not, one simple fact remains: the larger story arc will never fail – even if the storytellers fade.  The human spirit is capable of overcoming any and all adversities that are set before it.  With God’s help, we can even overcome death itself.
Just below the ‘Lance Armstrong’ topic was a ‘Thanking God’ topic.  Boy, that one really struck me.  I have so much to be thankful for.  And God is the one that I must be thankful to.  But even as the Twitterverse is, well, atwitter with the ‘Thanking God’ topic, another topic is emerging: the rapture.  Way too many people are chatting it up about the much heralded and impending apocalypse that will happen on Saturday.
For me, I have two thoughts regarding a Saturday apocalypse:

1. No one will know the day and time of Christ’s return. (“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Mark 13:32)
2. Despite the predictions to the contrary, I have my own apocalypse to worry about.  Nothing will deter my daughter in her appointed quest: she WILL be married on Saturday.  And I still need everyone’s prayers for the marriage – and the ceremony.

Today, I must focus on the task that is before me.  And my task is not to prepare this household for a wedding.  Rather, it is to use the circumstances of this wedding to help prepare this household for its lifelong encounter with eternity.  May God’s presence be felt throughout the entire household.  And may the Spirit of God be tangible during the ceremony.  Finally, may the joy of God’s presence be effervescent throughout the marriage festivities – even when I stumble during the father-daughter dance!
-Roo