What's A Good Meal Worth?

Pastoral Pondering

Sunday I went to EWALU for a quilt auction. I have done many things at EWALU in 45 years but I have never been to a quilt auction. Taking my turn on the Board of Directors, I figured I should probably go to a quilt auction. I have always led worship until 11:30 or later. I always had an excuse. Glad to have Barb and Matt to help out this year.

Many of you know that I like auctions. However there are two kinds of auctions – there are the farm sale/ estate auctions where I go and see how much I can get for as little money as possible. I do all right. Some of you know Ginger does much better. Then there are charity auctions. That takes a completely different mindset. There you see how much money you can donate to a good cause and still have some fun and maybe end up with something that might be a little useful. I guess I do alright there. I really like my purple cap that says Lost Nation, Iowa on it. I paid $75.00 for it. (Oh did I say it came with $80.00 cash in it – and no I did not donate the cash back to the Scoop. I bought lots of other "stuff" of lesser value and have spent enough at 7 Scoop auctions to pay for over 20 subscriptions. It would be much cheaper to stay home and buy a subscription – even though it comes free. But then where is the fun in that?)

So I was at the quilt auction. That wasn't so much fun. I do not feel qualified buying quilts – maybe one for me – but not for others. There were some quilts that I thought looked nice and no one bid much. Others quilts were so – so, in my opinion and everyone would gasp and ooh and aah, and they would sell for $800 or $1400.

Well I would have been okay if there were had just been quilts on auction – but I got taken in by a gourmet meal for 10 offered by Assistant Director Paul Little and his wife Director of Food Service Megan Little. I honestly just was bidding because I sensed the group who bought it last year was out to get it again – and they were. And I kept going and finally dropped out and let them get the meal at quite a hefty price. Good for EWALU! But then the auctioneer looked right at me and said, "The donors will provide a second meal, if you will pay the same price." What's the Board President to do at that point? There was a moment of silence and then, "Sure," I said, "why not!" Gulp! Call Ginger soon. Confess to her how much money I spent. Figure out what to cut out for the next 6 months to pay for this binge.

Well when I got home that night, I was a bit stuffed up. Blamed it on being outdoors in the woods all afternoon Sunday. Then by Sunday night, I was really stuffed up. Tuesday I coughed a lot so Wednesday morning I was really hoarse. Now I think I am on the downhill side. Maybe it was allergy related – maybe it was just my annual fall cold. It is really disgusting. I hate it when I do not feel well – even with just a cold. I feel I need to curtail visits, especially to hospitals and care centers when I am coughing and sniffling. Things go slower. I get tired more easily. So I don't like to be sick – even with a cold. I know I should be grateful that I am ill so little. When I am sick – things seem out of my control. I can't simply will myself better. I would rather go to an auction. Things are more under my control there – but maybe some would argue that!

Usually when I start rambling on like this, a great theological connection begins percolating. But no great insights into God's grace seem to be evolving from my reflections on auctions and a common cold. However, I am reminded of Jesus' stories of the man who discovered a buried treasure in a field and spent his entire savings to buy the field, and another man who spent all he had to buy a fascinating pearl of great value. While EWALU is not the kingdom of God, it is certainly a place where God's kingdom has been visible for me. It is worth my auction binge and even an allergy-related cold.

P.S. For those who were concerned about my safety or the safety of others when I drove to EWALU, I was reasonable in my driving. I believe I did set a record for myself – but it was notbecause of excessive speed. I figure on most open highways, law enforcement will allow me 5 or 6 miles over the limit, or maybe even 7 or so. But more than speed, I have to say I was intense – never dawdling. So I made it in plenty of time to meet and have a few words with Leo Greco, someone I have heard on the radio since I was very little boy.