이번 한 주간은 한가위 명절이 있어서 그랬는지 거의 매일 많을 때는 두 세 팀씩 찾아왔습니다. 화요일 점심 때에는 스스로 딸들이라고 부르는 네 따님들이 방문을 했습니다. 엄청 열심히 웃음꽃을 활짝 피우고, 멋진 식사를 하고 커피를 마시고 돌아갔습니다. 돌아가서 남긴 카톡을 보면 분위기를 상상할 수 있을 것입니다. “눈부신 가을날이었습니다^^ 오랜만에 뵈서 너무 너무 좋았어요 늘 예쁜 사진 찍어 주셔서 감사해요^^“꿈같은 시간을 너무 후딱 보내고 와서 많이 아쉽고 죄송해요 저희들끼리도 오랫만에 만나다 보니 논다고 정신이 없었어요 좀 더 여유있게 좋은 시간 보내고 왔어야 하는데 많이 아쉽네요~ 다음 기회를 기약하며~~~” “친정집에는 그렇게 웃다가 가면 됩니다^^” ”…무엇보다 언제라도 반갑게 맞아주시는 그 사랑에 더 감사드립니다~~ 또 갈게요~~~ “
따님들이 바람과 함께 사라진 후에 카페 느릅나무 아래서 울산학복협 간사님을 만나서 평안한 대화를 나누었습니다. 그리고 저녁 5시에는 기은, 데릭 부부와 식탁교제를 했습니다. 하와이 코너에서 자리잡고 YM사역을 하시는 분들입니다. 한 번씩 입국을 하면 꼭 만나는 친구들입니다. 특히 이분들은 10여년 전 우리 집 정원에서 결혼식을 했으니까 지나칠 수 없는 그들의 성지이기도 할 것입니다. 때로는 하얀 사스타데지지가, 때로는 금계국이, 이번에는 빨강 다알리아와 칸나가 그들을 환영했습니다.
수요일은 9시에 찾아온 담임목사님 내외와 모닝커피 한 잔으로 조용히 지나간 날입니다. 그러나 목요일은 달랐습니다. 매곡에서는 큰딸과(사모님이 나의 건강을 위해서 당장 병원에 가보라고 단호하게 말하는 바람에 나이와 무관하게 큰딸로 등극했지요) 사위와, 창원에서 아들을 대신해서 며느리와 두 손주들이 찾아온 셈입니다. 두 분 다 울산교회에서 함께 사역을 했고, 시기는 달랐지만, 우리 두 아들과 비슷한 나이들이니 해외동포인 우리 두 아들을 대신해서, 특별히 마음 먹고 온 듯합니다.
추석당일인 금요일에는 손님이 없나 했더니 아침에 갑자기 오시겠다고 전화가 왔습니다. 우린 아들이 둘이지만 명실공히 해외동포이고, 장로님은 외동딸이니 추석날은 시댁을 가야하니 명절 당일에는 찾아올 자녀가 없는 같은 처지입니다. 동병상린이라고 추석 점심 상을 함께 하니 얼마나 감사하던지요? 오랜만에 근황도 나누고 함께 기도하니 무르익은 가을 들판 못지 않는 행복감이 가득합니다.
토요일인들 무사할 리 만무합니다. 금요일 밤 늦게 카톡을 받았습니다. “목사님 추석 명절 잘 보내고 계십니까? 낼 오전에 찾아뵙고 싶습니다. 혹시 시간이 되시는지요~~^^ 늦게 연락드려 죄송합니다. 편안한 밤 되세요.” “10시 쯤 괜찮을까요?” “예, 10시에 찾아 뵙겠습니다.” “목사님
주소 부탁드립니다.” “범서읍 큰마을길 52-5입니다.” 큰 딸과 사위와 손녀 그리고 둘째 딸은 혼자 각각 도착을 해서 11시가 넘도록 커피를 마시고 교제를 하고 돌아갔습니다. 작별을 하고 바로 12시에 오기로 한 가족들을 위해서 바비큐 준비를 합니다. 썰고 굽고 소금치고 후추를 뿌리고 12시 10분 준비완료를 했습니다. 훌쩍 자라서 성인이 된 두 자녀와 함께 모처럼 식사를 이 목사님 부부와 함께 나누는 기회를 가져서 감사했습니다. 아들은 내년 봄에 결혼을 앞두고 아버지는 이제 목회의 마무리를 해야 할 날들이 가까워지고 있습니다.
명절은 수고로이 살아가는 우리 모두를 위한 하나님의 배려입니다. 마음에는 있지만 바쁘게 살아간다고 만나지 못하는 이들이 명절을 빌미로 서로 만나는 것은 하나님이 주신 선물과 같습니다. “형제가 함께 한마음으로 사는 것이 얼마나 선하고 얼마나 보기 좋은가! 그것은 마치 귀한 기름을 머리에 부어 수염에까지, 아론의 수염에까지 흘러내리고 그 옷깃에까지 흘러내리는 것 같고 또 헤르몬의 이슬이 시온 산에 내리는 것 같구나. 거기서 여호와께서 복을 내리셨으니 바로 영원한 생명이로다”(시 133편 우리말 성경)
Perhaps because of the Chuseok holiday season, guests came calling almost every day this past week—sometimes two or three groups in a single day. On Tuesday at lunchtime, four 'daughters'—as they fondly call themselves—came to visit. They filled the house with bright, blooming laughter, enjoyed a wonderful meal and coffee, and then headed on their way. The KakaoTalk messages they left afterward vividly capture the joyful atmosphere: "It was such a dazzling autumn day! ^^ It was so wonderful to see you after so long. Thank you as always for taking such lovely photos ^^" "Time flew by so fast like a dream, and we felt so bad leaving so soon. We hadn't seen each other in so long that we got carried away just catching up! We should have stayed longer to enjoy a more leisurely time, so we're quite sad about that~ Looking forward to next time!~~~" "When you visit your parents' home, laughing like that and leaving is just the way it should be ^^" ". . . Above all, thank you so much for the love that always welcomes us with open arms~~ We will come again!~~~"
After the daughters vanished like the wind, I met with the general secretary of the Ulsan Campus Evangelical Fellowship under the elm tree at the cafe, where we shared a peaceful conversation. Then, at 5:00 p.m., I shared a meal and fellowship with Kieun and Derek. They are serving with YWAM based in Kona, Hawaii. Whenever they visit Korea, they make sure to stop by. Having held their wedding ceremony in our garden about ten years ago, our home must feel like an unforgettable pilgrimage site to them. Sometimes white Shasta daisies, sometimes lance-leaved tickseeds, and this time vibrant red dahlias and cannas welcomed them.
Wednesday was a quiet day that passed gently over a morning cup of coffee with the senior pastor and his wife, who dropped by at 9:00 a.m. Thursday, however, was quite different. From Maegok came our 'eldest daughter' (my wife had firmly told me to go straight to the hospital for my health, which earned her the title of eldest daughter regardless of age) along with our son-in-law; and from Changwon came our daughter-in-law and two grandchildren, standing in for our son. Both of them had previously served alongside us at Ulsan Church. Though their seasons of service were different, their ages are close to those of our two sons, so it felt as though they had intentionally made the journey on behalf of our sons who live overseas.
On Friday, the very day of Chuseok, I had assumed there would be no visitors, but in the morning a phone call came out of the blue asking if they could come over. While we have two sons, both live abroad; and the elder has an only daughter who had to visit her in-laws for the holiday. Thus, we found ourselves in the very same boat—neither having children visiting on Chuseok day. Sharing a sense of mutual sympathy, how grateful we were to share the Chuseok lunch table together! Catching up after a long time and praying together, our hearts were filled with a happiness as abundant as ripe autumn fields.
Saturday was certainly no exception. Late Friday night, I received a KakaoTalk message: "Pastor, are you having a good Chuseok holiday? We would love to come by to greet you tomorrow morning. Might you have some time? ^^ Apologies for contacting you so late. Have a peaceful night." "Would around 10:00 a.m. work?" "Yes, we will see you at 10:00 a.m." "Pastor, could you please give us your address?" "It is 52-5, Keunmaeul-gil, Beomseo-eup." The eldest daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter, along with the second daughter who came on her own, each arrived and shared coffee and fellowship until past 11:00 before parting ways. As soon as we said goodbye, I began preparing a barbecue for another family scheduled to arrive at 12:00. Slicing, grilling, seasoning with salt and pepper—everything was ready by 12:10. I was deeply grateful for the precious opportunity to share a meal with Pastor Lee and his wife, alongside their two children who have grown into fine adults. Their son is preparing for marriage next spring, and the father is approaching the days when he must bring his pastoral ministry to a close.
Holidays are God's tender consideration for all of us who labor tirelessly through life. To use the holiday as an occasion to reunite with those we hold dear in our hearts—yet fail to see amidst our busy routines—is truly a gift from God. "How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore." (Psalm 133)
Moontlik vanweë die feesgety van Chuseok was daar die afgelope week byna elke dag gaste—soms twee tot drie groepe op 'n enkele dag. Dinsdag teen etensuur het vier 'dogters'—soos hulle hulself liefdevol noem—kom kuier. Hulle het die huis gevul met hartlike, bloeiende gelag, 'n heerlike maaltyd en koffie geniet, en toe weer vertrek. Die KakaoTalk-boodskappe wat hulle agterna gestuur het, gee 'n lewendige beeld van die gemoedelike atmosfeer: "Dit was so 'n skitterende herfsdag! ^^ Dit was wonderlik om u na so 'n lang tyd weer te sien. Baie dankie soos altyd vir die pragtige foto's wat u neem ^^" "Die tyd het soos 'n droom verbygevlieg; ons voel sommer skuldig dat ons so vinnig moes groet. Ons het mekaar so lanklaas gesien dat ons heeltemal meegevoer geraak het met gesels! Ons moes eintlik langer gebly het om meer rustig te kuier, so dit is nogal jammer~ Tot volgende keer!~~~" "As 'n mens by jou ouerhuis kom kuier, is dit presies hoe dit moet wees—om so lekker te lag en dan weer te gaan ^^" ". . . Bowenal is ons innig dankbaar vir die liefde waarmee u ons altyd met ope arms verwelkom~~ Ons kom beslis weer!~~~"
Nadat die dogters soos die wind verdwyn het, het ek onder die olmboom by die kafee met die sekretaris van die Ulsan Kampus-evangeliese Genootskap ontmoet en 'n rustige gesprek geniet. Teen 5:00 die middag het ek saam met Kieun en Derek aan tafel gesit vir gemeenskap. Hulle bedien tans by Jeug met 'n Sending (YWAM) in Kona, Hawaii. Elke keer wanneer hulle na Korea reis, maak hulle 'n punt daarvan om by ons aan te gaan. Aangesien hulle sowat tien jaar gelede in ons tuin getroud is, bly ons huis vir hulle 'n onvergeetlike pelgrimsoord. Soms verwelkom wit madeliefies hulle, soms goue gousblomme, en hierdie keer was dit die helderrooi dahlias en kannas wat gegroet het.
Woensdag was 'n stil dag wat rustig verbygegaan het met 'n koppie oggendkoffie saam met die hoofleraar en sy vrou, wat om 9:00 kom inloer het. Donderdag was egter 'n heel ander storie. Uit Maegok het ons 'oudste dogter' (my vrou het my ferm aangesê om dadelik dokter toe te gaan vir my gesondheid, en daarom het sy ongeag haar ouderdom die titel van oudste dogter verwerf) saam met ons skoonseun opgedaag; en uit Changwon het ons skoondogter en twee kleinkinders namens ons seun kom kuier. Hulle albei het vroeër saam met ons in Ulsan Gemeente gearbei. Al was dit in verskillende tydperke, is hulle omtrent net so oud soos ons twee seuns, en daarom het dit gevoel asof hulle doelbewus gekom het om in te staan vir ons twee seuns wat in die buiteland woon.
Op Vrydag, die feesdag van Chuseok self, het ek gedink ons sou geen gaste hê nie, maar die oggend lui die telefoon onverwags met 'n versoek om te kom kuier. Al het ons twee seuns, woon albei immers oorsee; en die ouderling het 'n enigste dogter wat die feesdag by haar skoonfamilie moes deurbring. Ons was dus in presies dieselfde bootjie—albei sonder kinders wat op die feesdag self kon kom kuier. In hierdie gedeelde omstandighede was dit 'n wonderlike voorreg om die Chuseok-middagete saam te kon geniet! Om na so 'n lang tyd weer nuus uit te ruil en saam te bid, het ons harte gevul met 'n vreugde so ryk soos ryp herfslande.
Saterdag sou natuurlik net so besig wees. Laat Vryragaand het ek 'n boodskap ontvang: "Leraar, geniet u die Chuseok-feesdae? Ons wil môreoggend baie graag kom groet. Sou u dalk tyd hê? ^^ Jammer dat ons so laat kontak maak. Rus vinnig en slaap sag." "Sal omstreeks 10:00 reg wees?" "Ja, ons sien u om 10:00." "Leraar, stuur asseblief vir ons u adres." "Dit is Keunmaeul-weg 52-5, Beomseo-eup." Die oudste dogter, skoonseun en kleindogter, asook die tweede dogter wat alleen gekom het, het elkeen afsonderlik opgedaag. Hulle het tot ná 11:00 koffie gedrink, heerlik gekuier en toe weer vertrek. Pas nadat ons afskeid geneem het, het ek begin voorberei vir die braai vir die volgende gesin wat om 12:00 sou arriveer. Sny, braai, sout en peper—teen 12:10 was alles gereed. Ek was opreg dankbaar vir die seldsame geleentheid om saam met Ds. Lee en sy vrou 'n maaltyd te deel, saam met hul twee kinders wat intussen tot volwassenes opgegroei het. Hul seun staan op trou volgende lente, en die vader nader die tyd waarin hy sy gemeentebediening moet afrond.
Feesdae is God se liefdevolle versorging vir ons almal wat in hierdie lewe swoeg en sweet. Om die feesdag as 'n geleentheid te gebruik om weer bymekaar te kom met geliefdes wat ons altyd in ons harte dra maar weens die gejaag van die lewe selde sien, is waarlik 'n hemelse gawe. "Kyk hoe goed en hoe lieflik is dit as broers ook saamwoon! Dit is soos die kosbare olie op die hoof wat afloop op die baard, die baard van Aäron, wat afloop op die soom van sy klere. Dit is soos die dou van Hermon wat neerdaal op die berge van Sion; want daar gebied die Here die seën, lewe tot in ewigheid!" (Psalm 133)