Sundae Night

There is something so sweet about Sunday night's that it is hard to find the right words to describe them. A few short years ago, Sunday night was the most dreaded cluster of hours out of every week. As soon as the clock struck 5:00pm, I'd begin to fret as if I was standing on the bow of an old ship being told it was my turn to "walk the plank". The millions of butterflies that would suddenly take up residence in my abdomen would flutter, and surely prevent me from any enjoyment or sleep that night.

Now as you all know, I still don't sleep at night, but it certainly isn't because of Sunday-Night-Fright. These days, Sunday nights are spent with some of my favorite people while eating our favorite foods, bearing one anothers burdens, and exhorting one another. Sometimes when 5:00pm rolls around, I am practically pinning my eye lids open, but on the inside I am anxious to "load up in the van", as my dad always says, and head to 6th ave. We are always running very late, and thus it is something like the Indy 500 on our way there, but when we finally pull up, and are greeted by yet more warm, and downright lovable people, all of your cares melt into the background. From singing songs, to catching up on each other's week, and playing pranks with Lexy and Megan, the time spent at 6th ave is irreplaceable. The preaching is another amazing facet. Somehow it is always exactly what my spirit needed, and I am shown new pieces of truth to carry with me for the week.

The faithfulness of people like the Bialuk's, the Bennett's, and even James Henry Hudson Jr., is inspiring and encouraging to me. I know for me, it's easy to forget that I have an example to set in peoples lives, and sometimes it's tempting to just thrown in the towel with everything. My hope is to be as motivational in others' lives, as these people are in mine.

Then there are the meals that follow. One of the most exciting aspects of Sunday night is the brainstorming about where and what we are going to eat. Mabel is our food connoisseur, and never leads us astray in our quest. She's like the Constantine of restaurants. Close to (or sometimes after) midnight, with none of us wanting it to end, we say our goodbyes, but walk away a little more prepared and rejuvenated to tackle the week's many challenges. Reminds me of that hymn "Love Lifted Me"...

I imagine times sweeter than these wont exist on this side of eternity.