This is a story of God's intention. I was recently on a trip with a friend to a festival in the gorgeous mountains near the Catskills. After a rousing weekend of music we decided to head home early in anticipation of a snarly woman named Irene. We packed up and headed back down a winding gully way with rain coming in torrents. Slowly but surely we made it to the flatlands and were on our way.

As we passed through a small town I happened to notice through sheets of water two men standing under a railroad trestle. They were noticeable through the driving rain because I could not tell if they were seeking shelter or having an argument. The scene registered and we continued on .... until a driver side windshield wiper refused to wipe. Now things were getting interesting and wet. We decided to head back into town with a view only through the passenger side windshield in the hope of finding a car dealer or a mechanic ... at 4:30 on a Saturday afternoon with a hurricane bearing down. What was to be our fate in all of this turmoil?

Some may consider it serendipitous. It can be argued otherwise.  We drove by a closed car dealer and multiple auto body and mechanic garages. There had to be something open for us to receive help, wouldn't you think? Just as we approached that rain-drenched bridge on the right we saw two men getting ready to close their mechanic garage. I wasn't sure if they were the same two I saw under the bridge earlier. The connection was made to take notice of the familiarity and ask for help. We pulled in quickly. I pleaded our situation to the owner. Within three minutes he graciously repaired the wiper arm and with a gift of a $20 bill we were back on our way.

This was another chapter in the weekend story that we had to laugh about as we headed home. However, it got me to thinking about the connection with the guys at the bridge and how we were guided to a safe solution. Our experience on the road that day was much like our recent difficult times at Trinity. I can remember the feeling of an impending storm at our church when we did not know if we could make it home. Our finances were dwindling and our future was in doubt.

Then, like in the tropical storm, we were sent a message. God delivered the messenger in the form of Father Bill just like He did with the two men summoning us to the mechanic. The message was to stop, look around, assess your situation and ask for help. What is it that we have that will improve the situation and enable us to overcome our predicament? The answer was that we have each other and that our fellowship will carry us through. Father Bill recognized something that we have always had at Trinity. It is our belief in God and working together that will serve us to grow and do things that were otherwise unforeseen.

Trinity's restored energy and hope is palpable. You can feel it grow every time we are together and the surge is getting stronger. And it shouldn't stop at our doorstep. We should heed the message brought to us and help deliver the gift of fellowship to the world we live in. This is in honor of Father Bill's vision to be more than we are today.

Trinity has been guided to our renewal much like our direction to the mechanic. It wasn't serendipity that drove us to safety. It was God's will to have Father Bill in our lives and to hear the message. I know I can speak for a whole congregation in expressing how much Father Bill has meant to us and how thankful we are to have been blessed with his stay. We are forever grateful for his wisdom, his guidance and his example of pure faith and trust in the Lord. We will miss ye Bill, and will hold a place in our hearts for your love and compassion. Our prayers and our peace go with you and your family. God bless and we shall meet again!

Peace be with you,

Todd

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Colossians 3:16

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