Thursday, March 08, 2007

The 18" Trip

As with all of the OC, Diabetes is a major part of my life. It is something that I cannot stop thinking about regardless of what I would like to do. I am a Diabetic. And it is one of the “I AM” statements I make with no fear.

I am also a Christian.

Most of you already know that. I hope you know that with that, I am NOT a “holier than thou” type. I have hang ups. I have issues. I swear sometimes. I get drunk occasionally. I am not even remotely close to being a “good” Christian but I know who gives me strength, who gives me guidance, who is always there for me, and who made sure that I would not end up in a really hot place once I leave this planet!

This weekend my wife, Sister, Mother, Best Friends, and more all worked a Via De Cristo weekend. What is Via De Cristo? It is Spanish for “Way of Christ” and it is a weekend that renews, reenergizes, and refreshes your faith. It is not a weekend for people that are not Christians; this is a strengthening weekend not an introduction.

When Jasmine and I were “pilgrims” we had such an amazing time that we come back each year to serve and pray for those that are attending. It is a lot of work but it is well worth the fatigue. It is funny how much pleasure you can get out of totally giving and serving your fellow human. It is a blessing that I cannot describe.

This weekend my Mother in Law and her husband attending the weekend as Pilgrims with another couple from our church. All four of them seemed to grow so much in their faith. It was a very beautiful thing to witness. To see someone get to know God on a more intimate level is a reward in itself. Especially when you remember your weekend and how it felt for you.

One man described it as “taking God from my head, and moving Him into my heart.”

A distance of about 18”.

A very short distance but a very important trip indeed.

9 comments:

Kassie said...

see, now I thought this was maybe a reference to differences in tubing length... always nice to hear about the other aspects of OCers lives!

Minnesota Nice said...

George, that was a great story.
Have a good weekend.

Anonymous said...

is it prying to ask what it means to be a pilgrim in this sense?

Lori Rode said...

Go George! It is indeed a difference that makes a difference. I look forward to hearing about how it works its way through your life. We are still learning, still growing...

Shannon said...

Another name for those trips are "retreats"...at least here on the East Coast.

I'm not religious, but I do appreciate the spirituality of those trips. I've never been on one, but I have friends who have and they love them.

George said...

MM - We call people attending the weekend pilgrims and those of us serving, workers.

shannon - I like to say that I am more spiritual as opposed to religous. I personally think that spirituality is MUCH more important then being religious so I am with you on that!

Kelsey said...

My parents have been involved in something similar, called Cursillo. They call the new attendees "canidates." I'm thinking it's kinda the same thing.

I've been meaning to find something like this in San Diego... thanks for reminding me!

George said...

Kelsey - That is it! Via De Cristo is a non denominational weekend event that started from Crusillo so it is basically the same thing. Crusillo started in the Catholic Church in Spain almost 100 years ago and has evolved into many different weekend retreats. VDC is one of them!

I will see if I can find anything in SD.

Scott K. Johnson said...

Awesome man. 18". I love it!