Because it's been so long since I last posted, I will give this update...I am inadvertently growing corn in my flower bed. Last April, I was being a nice little green girl and planted some flower seeds on Earth Day. As they were sprouting, I noticed some other long, leafy something sprouting as well. Being the non-gardener type that I am, I thought perhaps another flower seed got mixed in with the one I planted. What I didn't think about, was the fact that I had been filling little bags with some corn feed near the same place they were coming up, around the same time I had planted the flower seeds. Long story short (or at least not so long), there are ears of corn just a week or two shy of harvesting--and we look like the biggest rednecks on our block!
So on a more serious note...I have spent a lot of time these last several months, mulling over an issue and I think it's time to blog about it more specifically. Every time I think about the fact that I carry the label to most people out there as a "pastor's wife", this bit of turmoil gets stirred up in me and I don't really know what to do with it. I've talked to friends, colleagues, other pastors, other pastor's wives, looking for that magic thing for them to say to me that will become my answer to the question, "What is my role?" For most of my life, I thought a pastor's wife should be the one that sits on the front row of every service, always has a smile, sings beautifully, heads up the women's ministry, and maybe even sells Home Interiors (honestly). But if you're like me, I don't want go to a church where the pastor's wife fills that description any more than I want to be that kind of person. So where does that leave me? You might be like me and wear about a million different hats--wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, pastor's wife (my husband hates the phrase even more than I do). How do I give everything the right amount of focus? How do I keep from losing myself in all of this?
I am coming to terms with this one conclusion: this life is a journey, not a destination. The one role that trumps all others is being a Christ follower. The closer to Him I become, the closer to Amy I become. And, the more I lose myself to Him, the more I find myself. While I'll never be the perfect whatever (mother, friend, pastor's wife, etc), I know that as long as I keep my focus on Christ, the closer I'll be to that. My desire in any role or position I take in this life is to be genuine, sincere, kind, and helpful. Hopefully, I'm on my way.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Driving Force
For those of you who are unaware, my husband is currently training for the Ironman race. It consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run (yes, that's a marathon). Although I think he's pretty much crazy to put his body through so much, I truly have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for him. For the last 3 years, he's worked up to achieving this fantastic goal--and, lost 70+ pounds in the process. So, being in the triathlon "world" I'm exposed to so many amazing stories of people accomplishing this same feat.
No story compares to that of the father/son duo, Dick and Rick Hoyt. When Rick was born, his umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck and cut off oxygen to his brain. Thus, he lives a very limited existence compared to most. Somewhere along the way, his father started running marathons with him (Rick, of course, is being pushed in a wheel chair) and eventually got into the Ironman triathlons. Because he saw how happy it made Rick to be apart of these events, he just kept doing them. If you google their name, you'll find endless video footage of what it takes for him to push and pull his son so they can compete.
A few minutes ago, I watched one of those videos. It's so incredibly inspirational, you can't help but cry. But this time, I realized the beautiful metaphor of this father doing so much just to see how happy it makes his son. As I watched this young man smile and wave his arms, I thought about the fact that he probably has little to no comprehension of what his father has gone through for him to simply have some joy. There's no question that Rick faces challenges and hardships, but I wonder if he understands what challenges and hardships his father faces on his behalf?
Isn't it easy to get wrapped up in both our trials and triumphs and not realize what driving Force is getting us there? We cross some big finish lines without even a thought of what God has done for us to make that happen. Or maybe we're in the thick of it and feel lost and alone--like no one could possibly understand how difficult the situation is. But all along, it's God that's doing the heavy lifting for us. The Bible says to give Him all your burdens because He cares for you. And when you do, a divine trade takes place. He gives you a burden in return--it's easy and light.
Watch the video. Make the trade.
No story compares to that of the father/son duo, Dick and Rick Hoyt. When Rick was born, his umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck and cut off oxygen to his brain. Thus, he lives a very limited existence compared to most. Somewhere along the way, his father started running marathons with him (Rick, of course, is being pushed in a wheel chair) and eventually got into the Ironman triathlons. Because he saw how happy it made Rick to be apart of these events, he just kept doing them. If you google their name, you'll find endless video footage of what it takes for him to push and pull his son so they can compete.
A few minutes ago, I watched one of those videos. It's so incredibly inspirational, you can't help but cry. But this time, I realized the beautiful metaphor of this father doing so much just to see how happy it makes his son. As I watched this young man smile and wave his arms, I thought about the fact that he probably has little to no comprehension of what his father has gone through for him to simply have some joy. There's no question that Rick faces challenges and hardships, but I wonder if he understands what challenges and hardships his father faces on his behalf?
Isn't it easy to get wrapped up in both our trials and triumphs and not realize what driving Force is getting us there? We cross some big finish lines without even a thought of what God has done for us to make that happen. Or maybe we're in the thick of it and feel lost and alone--like no one could possibly understand how difficult the situation is. But all along, it's God that's doing the heavy lifting for us. The Bible says to give Him all your burdens because He cares for you. And when you do, a divine trade takes place. He gives you a burden in return--it's easy and light.
Watch the video. Make the trade.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Signs and Wonders
I have intended to post a blog sooner, but simply didn't have one. I battled a little with this one because it's sort of a theological issue and I'm no great theologian to say the least. However, I felt the need to share with you from my latest prayer journal entry:
If you're anything like me, you've been jaded (understatement!) by the hoopla of things like "healing services" or TV evangelists. I realize that I'm bothered the most by the fact that God is having to share His glory with man and, therefore, I doubt it's authenticity. I want to see miracles happen--the signs and wonders the Bible talks about. I want to see people that will let God use them to accomplish those things with no thought of themselves. I think God does too.
I think I discovered something new (yet not really new) when I read Acts 3. It's when Peter and John are walking to the Temple and stop to help the crippled man at the gate. Peter didn't hesitate, didn't have a prayer time, didn't gather a bunch of others around--he just boldly came out and basically said, "In the name of Jesus, walk." And
the guy walked! I thought to myself, "why doesn't this happen anymore?" Then, I decided to read on and got what I believe is the answer. A crowd formed after the man was healed, so Peter took advantage of the opportunity to witness to them about Jesus. He began by asking, "why stare at us as if our power or piety made him walk?"
(Message) Peter knew it had nothing to do with him. He understood that no credit should be given to him, not even the one that says, "well, you still allowed God to use you." I think we're so quick to give ourselves or others at least a little credit for the things God does for us or through us. Maybe if He thought He could trust us to not have even
an ounce of that attitude in us, then perhaps we would see that happen.
If you're anything like me, you've been jaded (understatement!) by the hoopla of things like "healing services" or TV evangelists. I realize that I'm bothered the most by the fact that God is having to share His glory with man and, therefore, I doubt it's authenticity. I want to see miracles happen--the signs and wonders the Bible talks about. I want to see people that will let God use them to accomplish those things with no thought of themselves. I think God does too.
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