I got on a big plane and flew to Germany when I was 18. I think my parents let me go because they wanted me to expand my horizons and have an “experience”.
I experienced a lot of beer and a belly button piercing. Then I flew home and experienced my mother reading my diary and finding out about the belly button piercing.
And that’s why I don’t have a diary.
I just have a blog…that everyone on the planet can read.
It’s like Derrick says, I don’t stay long in the Land of Reason.
But, I’m not talking about the Land of Reason, I’m talking about EUROPE! Anyway I had a lot of fun, and I drank a lot of beer and went to bed at 4 a.m.
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| I was a party animal, sans moustache |
It seems like I missed the experience my parents were hoping for. To be fair, I did travel extensively with my German friend and her wonderful family. I saw a lot of castles. I ate ice cream shaped like spaghetti. I ate spaghetti (it was safe, I could read it on the menu). I went to a lot of churches.
The churches were old. They were beautiful. They were empty.
I returned home two months later to America and her church. I went from gold inlay and silent footsteps shuffling to summer camp with rock and roll and 800 kids playing games with water balloons, to the glory of God of course.
It was an experience.
That summer I learned that Christianity can be cultural. I learned that it isn’t necessarily normal for large crowds of Christians to gather and canoe together on a mountain lake. There are some places in the world where that doesn’t happen. Not every country has religious summer camps. There are some places in the world where you will be killed if you talk about Jesus, or you’ll go to jail. I don’t know what would happen if you tried to organize a Christian water balloon fight, but I doubt the outcome would be worth it.
The bible tells Christ followers to be salt and light to the world. To season the world in a delicious way. Salt is yucky if you don’t sprinkle it around. It’s inedible.
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| Where is God leading you? |
I like to be comfortable. You like to be comfortable. But bad things happen when we stay comfortable. Our muscles turn to flab. The market for high heeled shoes crashes. Uggs prevail.
Seriously though.
I’m not saying you have to move to Germany. Maybe you just stop closing your garage door before you get out of your car. You know, sometimes your neighbor is a country unto themselves…especially if they have 11 cats. I’m just thinking that perhaps we need to stop grouping up and over-salting the soup.
My friends are going to Thailand to be long term missionaries. They’re taking their four year old and one year old with them. You can check them out on facebook HERE or read their blog HERE. They would love to have you praying for them.
yes. i love this. and i agree. and it is delightful. like cookies.
and now i'm wondering if you live near my brother in law because he lives in the same city as you and has like 9 cats. hmmm.
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You are so right. We need to look around at all the missed opportunities to love each other like Christ loves us.
One of my friend has 8 cats now. I am truly worried about her.
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Getting out of your comfort zone can really help you to see the world with new eyes. I learned a lot about God when visiting different cultures.
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Such a good perspective. I remember long ago asking a fellow church member where to find people to help. I was young, but I was serious! I was inundated with “church people” in life. Reaching out can be uncomfortable, but it is also life changing and oh so rewarding!
Blessings!
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you are the funniest person i have met in the last 2 weeks, hands down. and my mom read my diary and sent me to boarding school. which is where God brought me the white football pants that changed my life. see— it's all connected. 🙂
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I love the whole garage door thing. I've had a theory for some time that two things have messed up society…One of them is the garage door…and your video link gave me a lot to think about…as a member of a large church with many programs….Thanks
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yes, and yes. (though i never was a fan of high heels…some of those four-inchers are plain old mean. 🙂
love you and your perspective.
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wow i hadn't thought about salt being yucky if clumped together. you are smart, woman. i'll drink a beer with you any day.
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Your metaphors are the best.
Ever.
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11 cats!? For realz?
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You know…regarding the salt being yucky if not sprinkled, bit…I've seen this within the care ministry, too. As in, I have seen someone invest too much time in one particular person or family. Which sounds mean, I realize. The problem is: sometimes we sow seeds onto rocks, and I think we need to pray and discern. We have a finite amount of energy and time, and I think we need to be careful in going where we're being sent, not necessarily where the people are most tragic. I should probably delete this b/c I might be making myself sound way more heartless than what I am. I've just seen it: I've seen users…people who go from church group to church group sucking them dry like psychic vampires when they have no interest in developing true relationships with Christ. Or even getting jobs (when they're fully capable). I can't tell you how many times I've been the “mean guy” to divert: as in, look at this family, over here; do you think you might be able to make more of a difference if you shift your attention?
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Thanks for the nudge of encouragement. I don't want to be comfortable.
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Such a GOOD point! Leave the door open just a little, get outside of yourself & meet the neighbor next door!
How about that belly button piercing? Still have it? I was to much of a Mama pleasing 'good' girl, so I never actually got one. I kinda wanted one a bit! I went with my sister when she got hers…..moral support of course! 😉 Somewhere around baby number 3 I think, she decided to lose hers. And now my tummy is a lost cause….the only stapling there should be a tummy tuck! 😉
Happy Weekend!
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i've been asking God where He wants me: i have to be here, in my husband's hometown. i know i have to because i'm starting to know some people, to care about them. i'm learning that they have gifts and sins and stories and hurts that make me hurt, too. perfect.
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Hope you had great last days with you newly tattooed friend. It was great to see you. And your boys were so much fun.
Sarah
p.s. I wrote again
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again, beautfiul. love the video. love how you tie it all together.
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