Posts filed under ‘Church’
Necessary & Unnecessary: Lent Day #1
Today marks the beginning of Lent. I trust that if you are reading here, you have the ability to learn about the history, purpose and meaning behind the season since we all know how to Google something. 
I grew up Catholic, so Lent was marked by Fridays of those nasty breaded fish sticks and fries for dinner. When I really embraced following Christ on my own, I can’t say that I did much to embrace the discipline of the season. It really has been only the last couple years that the thought of intentionally engaging in the meaning and practice of the season has tugged at my heart and mind.
This year is the right year, this year is the right season of life to challenge myself to follow through on those thoughts and nudges. There have been many challenges personally in the past year and especially recent months (and great things to celebrate) but for some reason I am stirred to act and participate in this historically transformative season in a very personal way. I guess if I’m already in the throes of challenges, difficult processes and changes, then why not work on some more core issues?
I know many people look at Lent as a time of giving something(s) up, ultimately a practice of intentional sacrifice that hopefully clears some space for some more intentional prayer and thoughtfulness to Christ’s life and sacrifice. The choices these days seem to be giving up Facebook (a wonderful time-waster), sugar/desserts, lattes, TV, etc. I know I could have done any and all of those things and I would have felt the pain of sacrifice for 40 days. But yesterday I really wanted to take some time to pray about the heart of the issues in my life and hear if there was something more or different that God wanted to reveal to me.
Since I’m third trimester pregnant, the idea of giving up and cutting out any kind of food for good sounded like trouble because it sounded like a recipe for failure and emotional disasters. I laughed when over breakfast Nate said we could give up sugar, and I almost asked him if he wanted to see me without sugar these next 6 weeks. I know theoretically it would be an absolutely fantastic idea that my midwife would probably support, as would my growing belly and butt, but come on. A pregnant hormotional woman without the hope of a scoop of ice cream at the end of the day of growing a child, parenting two young boys, working and doing life? That’s not just sacrifice for me – ALL would have to agree to that kind of sacrifice.
So anyway, I resorted to making a list. On my list were things I could actually do more of – like daily affirmations of others for instance. The things I could do less of or cut out all had to do with ”unnecessary things.” As soon as I stumbled on the word “unnecessary” and saw the pattern in my list of “unnecessary” things, I knew that was what I needed to be thinking about and focusing on for this season.
I realized I have a lot of areas of life where if I put into practice the idea of evaluating first “Is this necessary?” than I might really be surprised and challenged. It also reminded me of the teaching of Paul from Ephesians 4:
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
This is my list of “The Unnecessary Stuff”:
- Unnecessary internet surfing
- Food choices – pop, candy, crappy food, those extra sweets that a pregnant woman can far too easily justify having in excess
- Shopping
- Grocery shopping – going with the “Pantry Principle” here. Use what I have, shop minimally (milk, fruits/veggies, bread) and only go buy food that I need when I need it. Even if I am really excited to try a new recipe or make an old favorite, is it necessary if I am fully capable of making meals with what we have on hand?
- Excessive TV time
- Worry
- Talking about people or situations in a way that doesn’t reveal truth. – I tend to think too highly of my opinion and want to share it. Basically I need to practice putting on a muzzle.
My initial thoughts are if I more intentionally focus or practice evaluating what is necessary – in simple choices and actions, in relational situations, in challenging situations – then it clears some space for the truth of Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 4 to take root and bear fruit in my life. I wonder what else I will recognize in my life as over-indulgences or areas that I can listen for the promptings of “do this – it’s necessary” or “don’t, it’s not necessary.”
And since my boys are starting to howl at each other and C is doing the potty dance, it is necessary to be done.
Local “Celebrities”
So in the last couple of weeks I’ve had a few people ask me, “Who’s this Tenley from Newberg on the Bachelor? Does she work with Nate?” And I say, “No, she doesn’t work with Nate. Her mom does though. I know, it’s a little misleading…” Our local news media has had a little frenzy in highlighting the most popular Bachelorette from Oregon. Whether it’s on Facebook, talking about it with married friends (some who love the show, some who cringe/hate it), or following the “latest” Bachelor news online… It’s all strange. (And I’m not really going to weigh in with my opinion because that’s not the point.) But it’s entertainment, right? Right. But it is also someone’s life, and that is what makes it slightly interesting from my perspective.
Today at church I sat near Tenley’s parents during our worship time. (Personally enjoyable, as they tend to really engage in time of worship through song…but I could quickly digress…) Anyway, as part of the Worship Planning Team, I knew what songs were going to come later and I knew what other aspects of the “service order” were coming, too. I knew that we were going to spend some time in prayer for people in Haiti. I also knew that we were going to celebrate the story of another “celebrity” couple that is now making local, national and even international news.
The dear young couple, Joel and Rachel Hoffman, have been living in Port-au-Prince for 4 months prior to last week’s earthquake. Their story of survival is a miracle. Nothing less. A pure, give God all the glory, miracle. So we celebrated as we shared a bit of their story, but we also continued to mourn and anguish over the past week’s events.
So somehow today right before we sang, “You are God Alone (not a god)” and the lines, “And right now, in the good times and bad, You are on Your throne, You are God alone…” I felt this indescribable not-quite-tension-but not-quite-peace moment. A few feet away are some parents with a daughter experiencing some pretty life-changing, following your dreams-type of circumstances. I know they are proud of their daughter. And I also know that they have also walked through some dark valleys in the past year as parents, which makes right now where there is love and support and laughter over something like Monday night “Bachelor” episodes, even that much sweeter.
Then a few feet away from them are two very dear people who are like Joel and Rachel’s spiritual parents, who spent a long night wondering if Joel and Rachel were alive, and who rejoice in their survival but also hurt for the hurts that they are experiencing physically, emotionally and mentally after having witnessed such a nightmare of devastation.
And we all sang. And we all worshipped. And we all acknowledged that God is on His throne. And I (think) we all meant it.
Today I realized a fraction more of the Power of God. (A significant revelation for me, but a fraction compared to what is.) It’s like there are some songs we sing that are songs of desperation, or songs where we are intimately recognizing our need to surrender to God, and hymns with rich theology and prayer-like language, and there are other songs where we can celebrate and “Sing Sing Sing” and be full of joy and wonder. But somehow this song, in the midst of seeing these people whose children’s faces have been plastered online in so many different ways…this song gave me a glimpse into this dual nature of the loving, tender, merciful God who we can trust in, but also this Alpha and Omega, sovereign, Creator God whose power “none can contend.”
It’s been a weird week, 180 degrees difference in thoughts from Monday night Bachelor viewing to Tuesday night earthquake praying. But all I know is that for all the ways that media can take any kind of story and run with it — the good, the bad, the heartbreaking, the devastating, the nauseating, the miraculous — I am so, so small. I know it could seem so trivial and insignificant to somehow correlate how the Bachelor fits into a blog post where the disaster in Haiti is mentioned, but I think God is big enough to handle my processing of life and worship and worship in life.
Advent vs. Real Life: Round 2
Round 2 of Advent vs. Real Life begins with Getting the Christmas Tree (The Almost a Complete Disaster Debacle). I just wanted to get a Christmas tree last Saturday. Not too complicated, right? Not too strange of a desire on December 5th? We borrowed the truck, bundled up, and headed up the hill to our favorite spot to cut the tree…the same place we always go. (Ahhh, there’s the key word: “always.” It is the cue for Plan B to be set in motion.)
“Oooops. We forgot the saw. Oh well, Ray (the property owner) always has a saw on hand to help.” Up the hill we go. To the lot we pull in…and oh…there’s a chain with a lock blocking the entrance and no sign of Ray. Hmmm. We look longingly at the trees just sitting there, all peacefully rooted in the ground.
Ray's Christmas Tree Lot: CLOSED
“Where do we go next? I have no idea. Do you have an idea? I saw a sign down the road…” Oh hang on you are calling your mom and getting 14 different ideas while the boys begin the “Where are we going? What are we doing?” distress signals. (Tension building.)
Skip said tension and jump ahead to finding a new lot to get a tree where “U Pick, We Cut’ thankfully. Oh look! I asked the boys to smile for a picture and little C goes back to stand next to brother to have their picture taken! This never happens!
Wow! They are both smiling in my general direction!
The selfish mother I am asked for more. (Dun Dun Duuunn.) Next picture (in much better lighting mind you) involves big brother putting little brother in a headlock and slamming him to the ground, head first. Yes, I was snapping a photo at the beginning of the moment.
Ugh.
The next 10 minutes involved soothing, consoling, the use of the words “ridiculous” and “awful” unfortunately said aloud too many times, a quick finding of the tree by me while Dad and big brother were in timeout, an agreement that this tree would work, a cutting, payment and hoisting into the truck. Follow this with screams of pain from little brother as we put him back in the carseat. The 5 minute drive home determined the need to go to Urgent Care because little brother wasn’t moving his right arm. Just like the time he got “Nursemaids Elbow” last year. So, forget the afternoon of the family being at home together for a much needed change of pace and family time, and Plan B included Family Time in the small cramped room of Urgent Care while kind Dr. Cal checked out little brother. Yes, I made big brother come on the sad adventure because I wanted him to see the pain his younger brother had to go through, especially if anything was broken, because I am so.tired. of big brother’s use of physical force on little brother. And there was no way big bro was staying home having fun with Dad while little brother was dealing with all this. Consequences, my dear child, consequences.
Fortunately for all of us, the second try of reattaching the elbow tendon or whatever it is called worked, and within minutes, my little man was restored. Nothing broken. No x-rays needed, just a painful and awful-to-watch twist and bend of the arm. Not to mention it was now 2 o’clock and smack in the middle of what would have been naptime and lunchtime was already missed because Urgent Care is a 45 minute drive from home. Consequences, dear me, these are the consequences of life with children.
Yes, my mind had visualized a day of fun, togetherness, doing Christmas-y things as part of celebrating and preparing for Christmas, but apparently, togetherness and “making Christmas memories” involves Urgent Care this year.
Hello Urgent Care
Both elbows in working order...
“Jump Up and Down” Good
I am a passionate person, and I wouldn’t say that I am reserved, but I am also a grown woman who doesn’t usually jump up and down to show my excitement or enthusiasm for something in particular. “Jump up and down good” is my reference point since that is what I see/hear/feel my four year old do quite often to express his complete delight at ________ (insert: approval of a household wrestling match/a trip to the beach/being told he gets to spend the night at Grandma’s house, etc.))
I see it because there is flailing involved. I hear it because squeals and shouts accompany it. I feel it because we have hardwood floors and the place shakes when 35 pounds of boy jump.
So it doesn’t necessarily have to be jumping up and down for everyone, but it’s something like that, some sort of physical, mental, emotional take-over of your whole being that represents you agreeing (in all of those ways) with something else outside of you. For me “jump up and down” good means it’s really, really good. The kind of good that gets me so excited that I want to share it and make the floors shake so you can know that I mean good.
Wow, so that’s a lot of build up, right???
Right.
But see, I’ve had two jump and down good moments in the last 24 hours and they both came from something I read. So since I read them, I can share them, which is what I am dedicating this post to…I guess it’s my way of squealing and shouting “YOU’VE GOT TO READ THIS AND THINK ABOUT THIS AND ISN’T IT PROVOKING AND THOUGHTFUL AND INSPIRING AND AFFIRMING…” and all that kind of stuff. Yes, ALL CAPS because remember, I am jumping up and down.
(Deep breath, exhale….whew.)
Yes. I really like reading and I especially like reading things that stir up my brain and heart simultaneously. For me, this type of convergent inspiration is more rare than I would like it to be. (Cheers to smart people who can say things that need to be said, for starting conversations and for taking time to think about and then articulate some truths really well!)
First one: “Is Motherhood a Calling?” over at The Mommy Revolution.
Second one: “Small Wonders” by Tom Sine over at Leadership Journal.
One last thing. I know that these two articles meant a lot to me because of what I have been spending a great deal of time thinking about as well as writing about lately. As I enter my seventh year of being on staff at our church, I have never been so passionate and ready for something to unleash, some specific conversations to collectively be had, for some bold steps of action and faith to be taken and for some things in our community to be shaken up yet realigned. (And it’s starting, but that’s all for another day’s post.)
So I read the “Small Wonders” article last night (so did my husband) and Nate and I looked at each other with smiles and big eyes and I wanted to jump up and down. It’s inspiring to me when God reminds me that He’s in charge and He’s the one blowing through this place (“this place” being His church, my brain, other people’s brains, other communities, etc…) and I’m excited because I am actually catching some of what He’s saying and doing.
So take that and add to it that today, I shared with one of our pastors my 7 page (10 pt. font, single space except between paragraphs) “Ministry Calling Evaluation” where I was asked to describe the kind of “Call” I have to ministry. It’s a document Nate and I both have been working on (individual papers, though) for the last two months. Heck yeah I talk about being a mom and wife and if a call is to a circumstance/role/vocation or a way of life! So then tonight, I read this post and I had a “jump up and down” kind of moment again.
I don’t expect you to jump and down with me, but that’s the great thing about jump up and down moments. The jumper doesn’t care what anyone else thinks because the jumper is only concerned with the reason for jumping with excitement in the first place.
I hope you have a reason to jump sometime soon. It’s invigorating.
— And here’s a freebie just in case these articles are yawners: I also read the book “Eat Pray Love” (finally) last month. If that doesn’t hit the spot, then I don’t know what else to say. Good luck to you. —
The Word is/and “Consistency”
Yesterday I was working on putting together an overview of our church’s ‘goals’ for the year. It covered the things we will be talking about and living out this year, collectively, individually and within our wider community of the Southside of Newberg.
One of the reasons I like our Pastor is because he is realistic. He has three things on his mind that will be the focus for this year. I can remember three things for 12 months. Sure, they are ginormous in their implications…but three is good.
You’ll see what I mean.
So the very first one has to do with increasing our personal time spent in God’s Word and in the act of devotion. We had such a unique church service on December 30th that was the beginning of this intentional focus. Nate thought the practicality of it was great. As much as I like thought-provoking, inspirational and creative times of corporate worship, I have to agree that practical was really motivating.
First, we gave out Life Journals, these journals that come complete with a Bible Reading Plan inside, as well as an outline of ‘how to use this journal’ for people who are not much into the reflective or just need some guidance.
Side note: I think years back I would have rebelled and thought this to be cheesy, rigid, formulaic or anything else I could think of to be critical. Then God reminded me that we humans struggle with independence and pride. I was also reminded that God gave very, very practical and pointed instructions throughout both the Old and New Testament about how He wants us to come to Him, to worship, to build His temple, to follow His lead, to pray, etc. So, a few years back when I first encountered a Life Journal, I let go of my critical spirit and (gasp) had a season of more meaningful devotion time because there was some clear guidance about how to stay reading the Word on a daily basis!
Okay, back to the practical church service…
After everyone had a Life Journal, we talked about the power of God’s Word. We talked about how people are constantly facing situations where we can learn the hard way or learn an ‘easier’ way, and how in the Bible there are stories of people who learned both ways, and we can learn from them. We talked about how God wants to speak to us, and we aren’t always good listeners, but His Word is a surefire way to move closer in the direction of being a listener when He has rich truth to speak into our lives.
Then, we all had a time of quiet to read, to reflect, to journal, to find a gem of truth for our day. So here we were in church, all reading Genesis 1, in quietness and purpose. I couldn’t help but think about how Jesus must have felt at the time. I remember my classrooms as a child, when we would all be set about doing our math or something, and the teacher would walk around the room and watch us work, or be available for questions, or give an extra smile of encouragement to one who needed to know that they were on the right track. It was a very cool moment for our church body.
Then, after this prolonged time of reading and reflecting, Jeff shared what he had received as instruction, what he learned and what he wanted to apply in his life from the Scripture. Then we prayed for these seeds to be watered in each of us.
I was inspired because the actual doing of what Jeff was teaching stirred in me a deep hunger for more. I wanted 10 more minutes, at least. It was better than talking about it and then going home and thinking, “yeah, I should start that tomorrow morning!” A practical, yet still inspiring service is possible.
The thing about the act of doing ‘daily devotions’ that we keep talking about in the weeks since, is the fact that we performance oriented people tend to get really freakish about consistency. For one thing, starting something is really difficult. Then following through can be a huge dilemma. If we do it for a day or two, we feel great, like WE are accomplishing something and aren’t WE so good. Then, we get busy or tired or forgetful, and we don’t come back to the Word for two days, or maybe even two weeks. Then we are done. We give up. We think, “I’m too far behind. I’ve got all of Genesis and Exodus to read and..and…” Panic sets in. Failure and defeat sets in.
I’ll paraphrase Jeff’s teaching here, but how about instead of this roller coaster of emotions, we just pick up our Bible, get our journal, whether it’s for 10 minutes or 30 minutes or an hour, and we read God’s Word? Instead of trying to make up for all the lost time, just meet God in that moment, because THAT is the point. He wants to commune and speak with us All Of The Time, so it’s not about those two days or two weeks or two months that we’ve been away. He wants us right now with Him.
So for our church, we are working on the “CONSISTENCY” of being with God in His Word and in devotions. It’s not about a daily check off, and the sense of pride and failure that can get wrapped up in that word. It’s about being a people and community of consistency when it comes to listening and seeking God through reading His Word.
For me, this has been great teaching, a great reminder and a great opportunity to have some moments of intimacy with my Lord and Teacher. I have had quite a few moments of awe, of awareness at the power of words. I’ve been awed and humbled especially thinking about my words and my actions compared to God’s Words, His promises, His guidance and faithfulness to His people; His actions that reveal His love and power and that ultimately fulfill His words. A M A Z I N G.
There are also some inspiring, “God was in this” things that have come together in our church because people are reading some of the same stories in Scripture. It reminds me that His Word has the power to bring unity to His people.
Ahhhh…I think this is enough for today. There is so much more to think upon, but I am so grateful that He gave us His guide, His Word to be a way to learn about Him. I’m thankful for practical teaching that can help focus and lead me, as I am reminded how deeply I love His Word.
* * *
“As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:10-11
“My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” – Jesus (Luke 8:22)
Missing Women…a Soapbox Rant?
I was at a good old fashioned women’s tea this past spring, and the speaker (with a great Australian accent) kept saying, “Come on girls!” “Lets go girls!” when she would really get going with passion. (The best part was that it was all women over the age of 50 in the front half of the room where she was.) I can hear her voice in my head when I feel like shrinking back at times.
So here’s my rant…I don’t see a lot of people in the church being this kind of motivator, cheerleader, encourager to say, “Come on girls! Lets go!”
What if women were encouraged, empowered. engaged and embraced to lead and participate in ministry with the gifts God has given them, despite their age, education and personality-type?
I really have yet to see this as common reality. (I think it’s partially because I am involved at a church where it IS the norm, it IS the language and culture, especially from the men in leadership, and it feels uncommonly different.)
I am burdened by a particular group of women missing from church leadership. Where are the women, ages 25-35 years old, other than in children’s ministry, singing on the worship team or serving through hospitality ministries? And by no means, do I intend to discredit the women who do engage in these roles of serving the church body. But, I believe that there are women with gifts of leadership, teaching, exhortation, and evangelism (to name a few), who are alarmingly absent. Maybe I’m limited in what I am exposed to, but at conferences I attend and as I talk with peers, I feel like I’m not totally in the dark on this.
Where are you?
I will tell you where I am. As I turn 29 next month(!), I am the primary caregiver of my almost 3 year old and I am pregnant with our second child. I spend most of my days at home, as a mom, but I also work (from home) as an assistant to the pastor in our church plant. I facilitate a small group of 7 other women in a Bible study, and I am figuring out how to do much else in my time beyond the necessities.
So this question, of where are these particular women, seems like it can generally be answered with one brief overview of my own life. Many of us are focusing on motherhood and growing our families. But I still find myself unsatisfied if that is the final and complete answer. Perhaps it is a contentment issue, and I have received some feedback that would indicate that is so, and that I am a bit off in my thinking. But what if it’s not?
What if instead such “subtle” statements as “you should be satisfied with pouring all of your time, energy, strength and gifts into raising your family and being a great wife…” were changed to statements of understanding and exploring opportunities to serve in ways that we felt embraced and connected? (more…)
What does this mean?
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. … And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:7-9, NIV)
So, what does this mean? I know it has to do with worship. I know it has to do with choices. I know it has to do with where I let my mind go. I am a person who likes to think, I like the mental hum of activity in my head. It has gotten me in trouble before, as I expect it will again. Sometimes I can get mentally blindsided by fear, anxiety, or the realization that I have some ‘false idols’ in my life. And then I get stuck or just find myself going nowhere good. So I have learned and applied the truth of this verse at those times. Like when I am trying to combat the bad-thinking or ill-founded anxieties. I guess I have used this verse like a mental weapon. But I think there is more to it, and I am trying to peel back the layers that I believe God is trying to reveal to me.
Right now, in the peeling back process of discovery, I am thinking about words like ‘edification.’ I don’t hear this word used in every day conversations. I don’t hear this word on TV. (Hmmm…) I don’t read this word when I am looking at CNN or ESPN online. I have come to think of ‘edifying’ to be something like ‘encouraging’ or ‘pointing me in the right direction.’ “Spiritually uplifting” or “instructional” are a few of the good ol’ dictionary.com definitions. So does Philippians 4:7-9 have to do with edification?
Two things especially brought this “mental conversation” up tonight for me. Instance #1 has to do with the ‘documentary’ (or was it a ‘mock-umentary’?) “Jesus Camp.” Nate rented it because he was curious. I came home from a very edifying women’s event at our church tonight and he was in the middle of watching it. I was not as curious. For some reason, I just had weird feelings in my head and stomach about it. But there it was. I watched. I cringed. I read the Bible online. I cringed some more. I thought, “now, I know that I agree with some of what they are saying, but why does it feel so…off…somehow?”
I thought again about this verse. Nate and I talked about why I haven’t been as curious to watch the movie. The best I could explain it was that I felt like 1) the editing was obviously done to create whatever point the producers wanted, which bugs me, and 2) I don’t know if I need to watch anything that is ultimately going to get me more fired up, irritated, judgmental, proud, sad, worried or nervous about the actions of other humans (aka ‘imperfect sinners like me’).
I think I am already pretty well predisposed to pride, judgmental-ism, and downright being bugged at people who are not like me. Then throw in that it’s all centered on people who are talking about Jesus, the Holy Spirit, His Church, our purposes, and there is a real recipe for divisiveness in my head. That’s Jesus, my Savior and Friend they are talking about. It’s not blasphemous, I would say pretty confidently. It’s not taking His name in vain. I just found myself feeling a little sick and sad inside. (I am feeling myself sounding judgmental. I really don’t want to be.)
That’s why I’m wondering about this verse. How do we live in a culture where there is really very little space to explore questions without feeding intellectual arrogance or pride or the spirit of judgment? It’s hard. That’s all I got. I just need to go and think about my lovely friend, Jesus for awhile. Apparently this is to be continued.
Authentic Community
What defines “authentic” in our culture? By definition authentic means genuine and real. It implies the sense of actuality, and lack of falsehood or misrepresentation. In a culture bombarded with images and media that often communicate a distorted or contrived “reality”, how do we as the church learn how to be authentic and to promote authenticity, especially when it comes to being in relationship with one another?
We have all seen “Reality TV” shows like Survivor, Big Brother, or Real World where people live together for a certain amount of time and the rest of the world watches them as entertainment. Usually there is a task at hand for the group to deal with, but the real entertainment comes from watching people interact. Hasn’t the word “alliance” taken on a new meaning since Survivor became so popular? Alliances on Survivor have now become essential strategies, groups of power-players who can manipulate and maneuver so that other people are “voted off the island.” And the thing is, we cheer them on! We choose who we like, who we don’t like, who is annoying, who is intimidating, and we go along with picking our favorites to win it all.
It sure can be entertaining at times. It also seems like another example of how our sense of authentic relationships and community are undermined, undervalued and misunderstood in our culture. (more…)
Unexpected Identity Crisis
A couple of weeks ago I was sitting in my small group, which happens to be only women and all mommas, and I had a sense the Lord was asking me a tough but important series of questions. Since they were tough, I figured I would share, so that I am not alone in being challenged. But, I will get to those questions in a minute.
See, I recently stepped down from my job and the process of making that decision led to a major and unexpected identity crisis. I kept finding myself dwelling on the thoughts: “What if I can’t use these gifts, skills, strengths because what if I am not working at a place that utilizes them? I’m going to atrophy and lose touch with a part of myself and who God created me to be!”
I think what compounded the said crisis is that the mother’s guilt kicked in because as a mother I figured that a part of me could at least still find comfort in knowing that my whole identity wasn’t being turned inside out. (more…)
