installation – Waite for it…

We’ve been waiting to get a sliding screen door installed for our garage. It will give us both ventilation for garage workouts, while preserving a little privacy. When we signed the contract and put some money down, we knew they were scheduling installation about ten weeks out.

Last week, they called and set up an installation appointment, a few days earlier than I expected. Sweet. Well, kind of. I had to move the basketball hoop from in front of the garage. I had forgotten just how much sand and water I put in the base. It must have weighed three hundred pounds. I did manage to get it out of the way.

Very early in the morning, I got a voice mail from the company. “Three of our techs called in sick today, so we will call you to reschedule.” Three? Sounds fishy, but hey, that’s their problem. Just let me know when you’ll be here. I’m flexible.

They called the next day and set up another appointment. That morning around seven, I got a voice mail. “We apologize for having to reschedule your installation. The tech who was going to do the work is on the way to the hospital with a broken bone.” Ouch. Once again, just let me know when you can come.

Later that morning, I answered a call from them, “I’ll bet you wish you had a few healthy techs!”

“Yeah, it’s been brutal rescheduling every day.”

When you’re scheduling your installations nearly three months out, business is good. But it’s got to be hectic making sure you have enough (healthy) workers to get the jobs done on time. I’ll bet not everyone is as patient as I am. But I’ve learned that being patient is worth it.

My son Adam was installed at his first church last Sunday afternoon. My wife, in-laws, youngest daughter and I travelled to Dallas to attend that service that would mark the beginning of his pastoral ministry. We were joined by a friend I went to elementary school with who lived nearby, a teacher who Adam had in middle school, and a number off pastors from his circuit.

Your first call, your first congregation, your first words of institution, your first absolution – lots of powerful firsts on the horizon for this young pastor. He is blessed to be the associate of a dynamic, energetic and faithful senior pastor who is very grateful for the help, gifts and ministry my son will bring. I remember how excited, motivated and terrified it was to be at that point. Terrified? Yes, for I was a sole pastor at my first church, and I didn't want to mess up.

I am so very thankful to have been there for his birth and baptism, and then did his confirmation, wedding and ordination. So many blessed moments along the way!