chapel today

I went to chapel today to see if a friend, rumored to be visiting from overseas, had made it to campus yet. No sign of him. And I was not the only one looking for him. While there, however, a nodding acquaintance (I don't assume she even knows my name) sat right down beside me like we were best buddies. Even though I found her behavior surprising and strange -- why she should choose today to sit next to me in the almost-empty chapel (I was early) -- I enjoyed talking with her. I enjoyed worshipping next to her. I enjoyed the booming speaking and singing voice of one of the homiletics faculty behind me. I enjoyed the sermon by a very pastoral Lutheran professor of church history (who quoted from a Sam Cooke song -- imagine!). I enjoyed seeing the music director serving in chapel worship, so soon after the death of a family member. God never disappoints. Whenever I go to chapel, or worship of any kind, I am fed and nurtured and my faith is strengthened. God is good, all the time, and God is a gift to me. Amen.