Audrey and I are having another one of those “conversations". We communicate quite well, I think -- except about what she sends me to the grocery store to pick up, or exactly when she will be back from a day of shopping. Often the message gets across with just a glance or an obscure, but favorite, line of movie dialogue. Words are hardly necessary.

But then there are those more serious talks. When a lot is at stake and we have to be sure we are on the same page. The purchase of a house, for example. Or any of the moves we have made over the years, uprooting family and beginning a new pastorate -- we've done that four times in forty years as a married couple. Some of those conversations have been tear-stained and tough.

The big stuff. 

Included in that also is how we will lead lives of intentional generosity. I don't mind it at all when Audrey brings home a new dress, or something to spruce up the house. She is wise and frugal and knows how to negotiate almost everything. She explains it in terms of how much she saved me, not how much she spent. And she doesn't say anything when I bring home yet another book from Barnes and Noble that I could have borrowed from the public library. 

But the causes we choose to support-- that's another matter. Mission Dignity, with Guidestone; St. Jude's Hospital in Memphis; The education foundation Audrey started in Halifax County, VA; Leland seminary here in Northern Virginia; and the Hawaii Baptist Academy. A tithe and more goes to First Baptist, Alexandria, of course, our spiritual home. We don't even have to discuss that. 

Then, there's Preparing the Way in support of our church's renovation project. Three years ago we decided on an amount that seemed more than we could spare. It would be a sacrifice. But Audrey took a real estate course and then launched a new career so that we could have the money to do it. She's discovered something that she loves and has actually done quite well with. We finished up our pledge back in March.

On June 10 we will be “breaking ground“ on the $16 million sanctuary project and simultaneously beginning a new capital campaign. Round two. We are hoping to match the success of the first one.

So, Audrey and I are having that conversation. We love our church and we believe in its future. We believe in this project, too, and want to have a significant part in it. Our part. We are waiting on God to tell us how much. I have a feeling He is going to push us beyond the merely reasonable and out more into the realm of faith. We'll see.

I do know that, like every other big thing in our life together, it's going to be another great adventure!