Have you ever wanted to make a special effort to reconnect with an old friend, a distant family member or an acquaintance that you’ve always wanted to know better?

Have I got a deal for you!

Believe it or not, it’s been five years since First Lutheran graciously gifted me with time for a sabbatical with my family. You may remember that Carla and I made a dream come true, taking our three kids to Carla’s home country, the Bahamas, so that we could all be immersed in Bahamian culture. Carla and the kids spent six full months there. With my three months of sabbatical, I did nearly nothing. It was pretty great. In doing less and being more, I was renewed in my call to ministry and reinvigorated in my call to be husband, parent and friend. That is the goal of a sabbatical, after all. It was a good investment for First Lutheran to make.

In 2022, I plan to take another sabbatical. This time, because of the scheduling challenges of my kids and this season of life, instead of taking three full months away all at once, I will take half in January-February and the other half from Memorial Day until mid-July.

My 2022 sabbatical has a title: “Last, Best Chance.” Why? Because I submitted a grant proposal to the Lilly Foundation with ideas all centered around the last, best chances I have right now. They are many! My eldest will be a senior in high school next year. Next summer will be our last, best chance to do a BIG trip before she flies off to college. Also, my godson Sam has suffered numerous near-death experiences due to his deteriorating heart condition. I asked the Lilly Foundation to provide the means whereby I could provide a vacation rental on the beach for his family and ours. He loves the water more than anything. This summer could be our last, best chance to enjoy such a trip. My parents and in-laws are all well, thankfully. But how many more chances will I have to do a father-son golf trip that, for years, we’ve said we ‘should’ do? If COVID has taught me anything, I have learned to take advantage of the moment. Don’t wait to reconnect, say what you feel, or finally do that thing you’ve always wanted to do. In 2022, I’m doing a bunch.

My proposal includes a two week trip with Carla—without the kids! And, a mid-winter gathering with my two best friends who are in Virginia and Colorado. And, another mid-winter escape to Arizona to golf with my Dad. The January/February portion of my sabbatical will tend to my most important adult relationships and end with a silent retreat led by a spiritual director.

In the summer portion, I will focus on the relationships I have with my kids and godchildren (I have seven from the two aforementioned best friends). The week after school is dismissed, my family hopes to travel to the United Kingdom so that we can show our kids where we met on a study abroad in 1997 at Harlaxton Manor. Some of you may know David, my father-in-law, grew up outside Glasgow. For years we have hoped to share time and space there together. Once we return home, we will spend the 4th of July week, as usual with our best friends. What will be unusual is that we will stay in a front row beach house.

I say these things are happening with such confidence because I won the grant! “Lilly” believes in the vision I shared to not only use my sabbatical to capitalize on a bunch of “last, best chances” in my own life, but to encourage my congregation to do the same. And this is where I have a deal FOR YOU, too good to refuse.

As a part of the grant, 20 members of First Lutheran will be given a $250 micro-grant to cover expenses that help you take a “last, best chance”. Do you have an old roommate you’ve been meaning to visit? Use the $250 to fly to visit them. Have you ever wanted to ‘splurge’ on a spa day with your mother-in-law but never felt like you should? Use $250 to treat yourselves. Want to see Aaron Rodgers play the Vikings one last time in Minneapolis? Use $250 to take your nephew. I DON’T CARE HOW YOU USE THE $250… except 1) it’s used for the sake of a relationship in your life (not just on yourself, unless it’s for a silent retreat. That would be a great way to use it!) and 2) You’ll have to share with me what happened in your experience. How did God work through the experience? Some will write about their experience, others may be recorded on video; others may want to share their story in-person. The only ‘string’ attached to the money is your willingness to share your experience—however you choose—with me and the whole congregation.

My hope is that First Lutheran gathers 20 stories that can be used by everyone to celebrate the relationships God graces us with every day. Relationships deserve special attention and special events. You think of the ‘last, best chance’ you want to take and I’ll give you $250.

E-mail me with your idea or stop in or call the office. It’s a first come, first served kind of thing. I’m excited to see how God reconnects me with my most important relationships. I’m inviting you to share in the fun.