Very, very tired.

It has been a good week.  I am exhausted, but at peace.  I know many will not be happy with the outcome of the GA.  Both sides will be unhappy, but we tried...best we could ..to understand what God wanted us to accomplish this week.
Many good things happened.  Many of us were blessed with new insight into scripture, new friends, new ideas and new old arguments to be explained.  The commissioners were graceful, civil and forgiving.  I think that is a plus.  Acrimony was put aside and decisions were made and accepted...maybe not liked, but accepted as a decision that was honest and not just ages old rhetoric that is quoted over and over again.  But as I've said before, the winds of change are blowing across the denomination.  And I am not just talking about social justice or ordination issues.  Change in how we view the way we must begin to do church and be church in the future.  I can see it happening in front of my face.  Do I like it?  Not all of it, but it isn't important if I like it.  If it brings another generation closer to Jesus and the gospel, I can put up with it and maybe even have some fun with it.  But I am part of what will  keep their theological integrity in place and keep them grounded.  I can dance and sing with them, if I know they understand what they are singing. 
Of all the good things that happened, there is bound to be a not so happy moment.  We had one about noon today.  Yesterday we did not redefine the  understanding of marriage, so today we had a motion to revisit the motion.  It was voted down and we were moving on to another issue when suddenly we heard singing.  "Hear our prayer, O God"  and there were about 20 people marching down the center aisle singing, carrying signs that said pray and they were on their way to the podium.  It was peaceful, yet disruptive.  Cindy looked startled and called for a recess with the singing of Love Divine.  We sang loudly and the pianist played very loud.  As we finished, they lined up in front of the platform holding their signs.  Cindy and Gradye went down to speak to them and asked them to leave.  They refused, so security came in and asked them to either leave or be arrested for trespassing.  Some left, some had to be escorted out and were given citations and released in front of the convention center.  They were not Presbyterians protesting the action of their denomination, but activists that travel around doing this.
We completed our agenda and only have worship service left for tomorrow.  Oh, yes, final report of the Committee on motions and overtures.  And financial report for the assembly action.
My feet are swollen, my neck has a permanent crick in it, I ate too much stuff today and slept too little.  I walked too much and thought too hard.  But it was a great experience and I will treasure it and think back on it and remember many people with great fondness.
Shalom