Sonshine and what I learned

We just returned from Sonshine this weekend. It was an amazing time of music and worship. This is a great family adventure. We prepared for rain everyday and God blessed us with sunny skies and mild temperatures – mid 80’s compared to mid 90’s.

Charity invited a friend this year, mostly because the parents are “boring” to hang out with on such an occasion. Her friend seemed to have a good time also. We each got to see one of our favorite groups. Roger got to see Third Day, Charity got to see Hawk Nelson and Toby Mac, Eli waited until the last day to see his all time favorite, Newsboys. My favorite varies by day, but I enjoyed seeing Barlow Girl and the David Crowder Band. Crowder never disappoints!

We do a lot of sitting in lawn chairs as the bands do sound checks, etc. My behind got slightly sore, but luckily during my favorite bands I was up and waving my hands, praising God. I did my best to embarrass the daughter – not on purpose, just an interesting side effect of worshipping at Sonshine.

I brought my non-fiction book with me to read, When the Game is Over it All Goes Back in the Box by John Ortberg. I like his writing style. Many of these books teach the same thing with a different metaphor. Ortberg uses the monopoly game to represent this earthly life. You may have lots of hotels on your properties, but in the end all the money, properties and hotels go back in the box.

I am not done with the book, only on chapter 8 out of 21. Chapter 4 called “Master the Inner Game” has been rolling around in my head since Sonshine. Ortberg uses 2 Cor 4:16 as his springboard.

“We do not lose heart.
Though outwardly we are wasting away,
yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

I really enjoyed some of the quotes from this chapter so I will leave them with you and let you ponder them as I have.

*”Experts tell us that if you exercise regularly, you will add two years to your life. But the bad news is that you will spend those two years exercising.”

*”Be grateful for the outer you. . .But remember, it's wasting away. . .The inner you is capable of a glory that right now you cannot even imagine. Make your biggest investment in the you that will last."

And my favorite of the chapter

*"The hardest thing to bear as we get older is the feeling that we remain young inside"

This hit home, because as I get closer to the big 4-0, I don't feel any older in my heart, but my body keeps breaking on me and aching in places I never knew I had. It is hopeful to know that my "inner me" is being renewed.

This post is long enough. Blessings.