A Small-Town Blessing

CW had been to only two of his high school reunions: the 25^th, which he spoke at, and the 50^th, eight years ago. Classes were small at his school—his had just over 30 students—so the school has a reunion every year and invites every graduate. Since CW lived in that town only during his high school years, he doesn’t have a long history with his classmates as many of the alumni do. Thus, only two reunions in 57 years.

This year, however, CW had a greater desire to attend than in the past. But that didn’t make his decision to go back in time any easier. He considered his options. Should he go at all? He really hasn’t kept in touch with anyone from his class. Does he go to just one of the two events? If so, which one? The pizza party or the more formal banquet? Or does he go to both? Saturday night could be a long ordeal if Friday is awkward.

He finally signed up for both nights and mailed his reservation when he felt God drawing him there. A couple of weeks later, off we went on our adventure, determined to show up and see what God had planned.

I had a great time. There were seven others from CW’s class there, plus a couple of other spouses. Everyone was so nice to me. Conversations with them were easy and pleasant.

I absolutely loved the small-town atmosphere. Though the alumni were from classes spanning several decades, everyone seemed to know people beyond their immediate class. And entertainment was found from among their own. The first night, the DJ played music, mostly from the ‘60s, and sang a few songs as well. Two classes gifted us with their talents when they each sang popular songs from back in the day.

Saturday evening, small-town U.S.A. continued when the event began and ended with prayer. Perfect bookends. In between there were presentations. Scholarships were given to grateful young members of the alumni family. An award was presented to a family who selflessly serve their community in a variety of ways. In a touching tribute, an alumni veteran was presented with a beautiful patriotic quilt.

Teary-eyed alumni spoke with trembling voices of their love for their hometown and the friends gathered in the Firehouse Hall. Though I wouldn’t trade my own hometown and my much larger class, I found myself yearning to be a part of a small, close community as I was experiencing that weekend.

And they like to have crazy fun, too. The entertainment Saturday was an auction to raise scholarship money. Of course, the auctioneer was also one of their own. Tom was the only person I knew there besides CW. In fact, CW and I both knew Tom before we knew each other. Tom and I had attended the same church in another state long ago.

Both nights I had noticed that Tom never seemed to sit down. He was always walking around talking to people. I was sure there wasn’t a person in that room whom he didn’t know. I picked up a good piece of knowledge that night that I will pass on to you: Beware if you go to an auction and the auctioneer knows you. (You’re welcome.)

When a small item came up, no one offered to start the bid. Even though CW sat very still—and I’m sure he even forced himself not to blink—Tom zeroed in on him, called him out by name, and finally dragged a bid from him. It was all in fun and quite funny to everyone. In the end, CW was outbid.

We did want to contribute to the scholarships, though. Later a quilt made by an alumna in the room came up for bid. I love quilts, so I leaned over and asked CW if he wanted to bid on it. In response, his hand swung up to his shoulder and off we went. Every time the bid came back to him, I nudged him and his hand sprang up. It was hilarious. And in the end, we owned that quilt!

So, I had a perfectly lovely time at CW’s reunion. But you’re probably wondering about CW. Well, besides picking up some live auction bidding experience, he had an amazing time of reconnecting, reminiscing, and getting better acquainted with alumni he had barely known. He was totally glad he had signed up for both events.

We will never go wrong when we follow God’s leading. If we walk in his goodness and share it with others, that same goodness will find its way back to us. We could call it “boomerang goodness.”

It should never be our goal. But it’s a lovely gift. It might come as God’s approval. It could be satisfaction from meaningfully impacting someone else’s life. It might simply be the pure joy of walking in step with our Creator. Or it may even come as a cozy quilt.

Solomon said that a man “who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).

I’m not aware what specific “refreshing” we did that weekend, but I know we returned home covered with God’s goodness in the form of a small-town blessing.

Scripture quotation is from NIV.