…this question is just another reason why I love my “girls”….the staff wives at C3 Church.
Travis, our Student Pastor (and frequent “other-hat-wearer”) wrote this post about a conversation that his bride, Sandi, had recently:
So Sandi was talking to her mom last night and the topic of church came up. What I found so interesting is that Sandi’s mom lives and always has lived is a small northern town that is steeped in tradition and the Greek Orthodox Church. So, pretty much all the churches including the protestant ones are very old, stuffy and dying.
Last night though, Sandi’s mom had mentioned that she went to a church that was actually growing and in her words; “busting at the seems.” What was so interesting is that this church is the same style and flow of C3. Now remember Sandi’s mom has always lived in little traditional towns and has grown up in churches that do church for church people. So, when she hit this new fangled church thing she about freaked out. The first thing out of her mouth was “no one came dressed for church.” To which Sandi commented back; “you mean everyone was naked?” Of course that’s not what her mom meant, but it was fun to poke at her a little. Sandi’s mom just couldn’t believe that people would actually come to church in shorts and Ts. Oh the horror! J
Anyway to make a long story short, after getting over the “naked” thing, Sandi was really able to explain in detail why that church in PA and C3 do what we do. Now Sandi’s mom is not about to head out and join a contemporary, progressive church. But, what was so cool is that by the end of their conversation Sandi’s mom “got it” and understood the importance of our style of church. Even though it’s not her style she loved the idea of churches that actually go after those, who are disenfranchised with church and God. I thought that was really cool. I also just kept thinking; if a sixty something year old, who has been indoctrinated with tradition ever since she was a girl, can “get it” then why can’t certain others (God tells us that we’re to love those far from Him) get it? I mean really, how hard is it to understand that we’re all different and not every church is for everyone. So instead of being scared of and slamming churches like C3 and the one in PA, why not just understand that we’re reaching our culture and that’s a good thing. Just interesting.
…and so goes my continuing love, respect and utter enjoyment toward the awesome women that God allows me to serve with.
The Real Staff Wives of Orange County
Peace.
So we’ll be flying home in the morning…just a few hours between me and another plane ride. If I weren’t so exhausted and looking forward to getting home, I would spend all night worrying about that, but…
The past few days have been good - there’s been so much to absorb. I know I’ll spend weeks just trying to process it all.
One thing that Bishop Jakes said really resonated with me…well, many things he said did that, but when he talked about leadership and loneliness, he described the people that surround us as falling into one of three categories:
- Confidants - those who are for you…no matter what happens, they are there for you. These people are rare and few.
- Constituents - those who are for what you are for. They are with you as long as you are “for” the same thing - until someone comes along who is better at it than you…or makes them feel better about themselves.
- Comrades - those who are against what you are against. Nothing makes for the illusion of friendship like a common enemy.
The problem comes when we mistake constituents and comrades for confidants, we think they are “for us” - when they aren’t at all - they are simply fighting for a common cause or against a common enemy. The last two will always go eventually…
I’ve learned a lot about this - I’ve also realized that I’ve been blessed to have some real confidants…probably more than most…so I can accept and even rejoice in the comings and goings of the constituents and the comrades. It’s alright, they were never meant to do more in my world. At least for a little while, there was a common cause…a greater good. And with each transition, my true confidants become clearer and clearer. This is such a blessing to me.
And rather than worry about airplane turbulence and other things I can’t begin to control, I think I’ll go to sleep tonight counting the blessings of my confidants…and constituents and comrades too - whatever it takes to get the job done.
So, there are three more C’s for me to ponder…
Here’s to my confidants…you know who you are. As for the rest, I’ll just hold on loosely…
Peace.
So, I finally got to see the “butterfly encounter”. Up ’til now I’ve been too cheap and the boys and I would run around Lucas nursery looking at the butterflies outside the exhibit.
This time - because Byron was with us, and he’s not cheap - we got passes. The boys were so excited. They said, “Mommy, we really get to go inside?”…I felt like a loser.
It was exactly what this Monday needed - beautiful butterflies flying everywhere with the music of Enya playing serenely in the background…
We also toured the gardens. Of course, I made a bee-line for the roses. I have to sniff all of them. It was heavenly.
Then I got back home, feeling quite tranquil and at peace…and I was in for a rude awakening as my great friend Amanda reminded me of the life-altering “promises” I made, in my Monday morning weakness, in the blog below…
Now the serenity is gone. Tranquility: vanished. Peace…not so much!!! She says she’s gonna put me through boot-camp!!! I’m very frightened at this moment. I think I’ve visited that address a-time-or-two with my drill sergeant loving husband. I don’t know that I need so much tough love in my life!
I think what I really need are more butterflies…and roses…and Enya! 
That sounds like a recipe for a long, tranquil (albeit lazy) life.
Peace out.
So, I’m busy today…so much so that I can hardly think straight and have had a few moments of panic at all that I need to accomplish.
Of course, friends help…friends that surprise you in a coffee shop so you don’t feel alone - friends that help you “buy in bulk” at BJ’s without losing your mind - friends who pray for you, and then paint your front door - friends that make a new kitchen sink that doesn’t fit…fit!
There are other things, today, that I could focus on…friendships that have caused pain and a sense of betrayal - there are those feelings today. But, there’s no time to focus on these - not when there are so many other things to do. So, dealing with the…”junk” will have to wait until another season…
…this is a season for joy, for celebration - not focusing on things that can’t be changed.
This season is a season for peace.
I have so much to be thankful for…for great friends and family and the unconditional love they show - and for the real reason for the season: Jesus, the love of God. So, while I’m tempted to be distracted by…whatever - I will fix my eyes on the love…
Love erases all the wrongs - all the discouragements. And there are so many reminders of love…so many things to remember…
…and I will remember these - in all the seasons of my soul.
Peace.
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