When I was a kid my family attended Berean Bible Church.
It was a charming little church nestled in a residential neighborhood, tucked behind Roger's Department Store. I spent most of my time there running around the basement, stealing cookies and punch from the adults' post-service refreshments served in the gym.
Berean is where I met some of my best friends, and where I learned to regard missionaries higher than TV stars. I'm telling you, I was always awe-struck during the missions conferences when people like Sandra and Subash Muthayala would come from India, or the Vintons from Tanzania, and they would share their adventures. I was mesmorized by photographs of children with huge gleaming smiles set against their gorgeous dark skin and brightly colored togas. The missionaries would share bizarre foods with us, like curry and vegamite and this weird foreign sugar cane soda. The Missions Conference was the highlight of my life as a kid.
Berean also worked closely with Grace Bible College. As I got older, I would attend Sunday School in their classrooms, afterglows in their athletic center, and banquets in their reception hall. My mom is a GBC alum, and my brother Jon is almost. Despite having never been a GBC Tiger, I still feel somewhat of a connection to the school. It represents home for me. The major parts of my childhood are in some way associated with the tiny conservative college.
Imagine my surprise last night as I was commuting from work to my apartment when I found myself stuck in traffic behind one the GBC vans. I imagine it was one of their athletic teams traveling back to Grand Rapids. Memories of lock-ins, Women's banquets, and church picnics washed over me. I know it sounds silly, but I was suddenly drenched in this sense of peace. I stared at the logo on the back of the van, its different than the one I remember as a kid, but it was still a beacon just the same.
It's moments like that when you know God is at work and he is throwing you little reminders that he is doing what is best for you.
In my case he is providing a way home.