They don't.
Isn't it amazing how so many of us spend so much time and effort searching for answers and solutions and tips and tricks and models and methods?
And, inevitably, we find that all along, whatever answer we really wanted someone else to provide for us had to be uncovered or discovered by our own searching and wondering and prayer?
I'm reminded that we are beautifully and wonderfully made and what works for even the dearest sister or brother in Christ, may not be the mold into which we are to be pressed.
Lovely. And frustrating and terrifying, too. But mainly -- lovely.
Isn't it amazing how so many of us spend so much time and effort searching for answers and solutions and tips and tricks and models and methods?
And, inevitably, we find that all along, whatever answer we really wanted someone else to provide for us had to be uncovered or discovered by our own searching and wondering and prayer?
I'm reminded that we are beautifully and wonderfully made and what works for even the dearest sister or brother in Christ, may not be the mold into which we are to be pressed.
Lovely. And frustrating and terrifying, too. But mainly -- lovely.
4 comments:
April, I just wanted to visit and say that I am sorry. I am pretty certain that I have wounded you over the conversation at Molly's site...and possibly in the past at Choosing Home.
I know that it sounds cliche - but I'm going to have to claim it as TRUE once again...We all come at this from different backgrounds, yet assume that everyone has the same starting place as we do. It is so hard, (cliche, again) too, to hear the other person's voice online. It lacks warmth and depth. I am guilty of misunderstanding some of my BEST friends online, even though I know them so well in reallife. I don't like THAT aspect of being on line.
Anyway, I am sure that you are a wonderful pastor. I'm sure that your family is well loved an nurtured by you.
I grew up a pastor's kid - so am very aware of that particular role and am sensitive to it. (Sometimes it stinks, let me tell ya! :) ) But here I am, a pastor's WIFE, and even though I AM home, we struggle to make sure that our children know that they are loved and valued and come before ministry. (Because I find that is one thing that children of ministers often have to deal with...)
I'm rambling, but the bottom line is this: I'm still in process about many things. Sometimes I speak theoretically, sometimes I make generalizations for the sake of ideology - but I would never want to purposefully wound another sister in Christ.
Blessings to you -
Holly
Choosing Home
Oh, Holly, it is *I* who am sorry!! I haven't felt wounded AT ALL in this whole conversation!! And I am very sorry if I conveyed that here or there or elsewhere or if I conveyed that I thought you are thoughtless or purposefully hurtful. I KNOW that's not the case, even though I don't, in face, "know" you!!
I also know that we all come from VERY different places and are all trying to live out where Christ is calling us the best we can. I have never seen anything else other than that intention in your writings, or those of pretty much anyone else at Choosing Home or Molly's site, even though we all have very different opinions. That has been an ENORMOUS blessing to me. I don't get to interact with people who have different theological ideas very much in real life. Y'all have challenged and convicted me in so many ways!
In this post, I was simply reflecting on how I have a tendency to read into people's lives and think "Well, they've got it all figured out" while thinking that I, myself, need to figure out some way to "have what they have." Through our latest discussion, it suddenly struck me that ALL of us are seeking, all of us have answers and answers slip away from all of us at some point or another and we seek and find others. I'm comforted by that realization!
Anyway, thank you very much for your note, but please know it is not necessary in the least. I respect and honor your calling and the things that you and the others have written continue to inspire me. Bless you, Holly. And thanks again.
Oh, very good, April. No, it wasn't anything you said...it is more just that sometimes I will say something, not meaning to be insensitive - but then I will think of "so and so" (specifically you, right now,) and think.."Oh NO! I must have seemed horridly arrogant or unfeeling to that person!" And...I don't want that to be a modus operandi that I become comfortable with.
So, humbly, I thank you so much for your graciousness! It IS good for me to talk with people from other theological thought processes. It reminds me that I don't have the corner on God. (Ha.)
Holly
Hmmm... somehow God escaped from my corner, too... :)
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