My Church

My husband and I are in a place that a lot of pastors don't get the privilege of enjoying. God knows that we didn't really do anything right or noble to get here, and we definitely don't deserve it. We've just been immeasurably blessed.

I love my church. Not just the mandatory "Jesus told us we have to love each other" love. I mean, I am enthralled and captivated by these amazing people who have been wrangled together like calves in a roping contest at the rodeo. God's hand has landed us all in the same corral as we look around dazedly wondering exactly how we ended up here. We've been mishmashed together in a beautiful, sloppy manner; the same way my four year old forces puzzle pieces to fit in places it seems they shouldn't go.

It doesn't quite make sense, this strange concoction of humanity that makes up our little church, but then again it does. When I finally stop trying to force the puzzle pieces to fit in the places I think they should go, they come together to form a new masterpiece that far outshines the cookie cutter image printed on the box.

It's like poetry.

The lyrical rise and fall of syllabic phrasing takes breaks and pauses where you expect none and barrels through the rests you feel should be. It catches you unaware, and jars you from your semi-conscious state to reevaluate exactly what you are looking at. The grouping of words, full of vibrancy, introducing tension and then(sometimes)resolution, creates the beauty of writing that draws us in.

I sit in my living room, surrounded by twenty-three other people. My living room isn't very big. They're sitting in folding chairs. On the floor. On the stairs. They're here for our church's "vision casting" meeting.

Thank you, Jesus. We have this many people who are passionate about our church, our family.

They care.

They want to be involved.

To serve.

How have we been so blessed?

These beautiful, amazing people.

We talk about the purpose of our church. The vision for our church.

We share our hearts.

I see eyes light up.

Hearts set on fire.

Burning embers stoked.

This is just the beginning.


Today I was cleaning the church by myself. Not because I had to. Just because I wanted to.

It's not even our building. But for now it's the best physical representation of our church I have.

And I just wanted to pour my love out on her. I feel completely overwhelmed by my love for this congregation we serve. I just had to do something physical to show it.

As I scrubbed walls, cabinets, pews, doors, and toilets I prayed "God, please help me to not screw this up. These people care about you. They love you. Please help me to not do anything that will break their spirits."

We have some amazing people in our church. Talented, courageous, dynamic people who are going to do amazing things for the Kingdom of God. It wouldn't take long for them to surpass what Trevor and I can accomplish. I feel awed that God has placed them in our hands to help cultivate and prepare them for their next steps in life.

I am anticipating great things for these people, this church whom I love deeply. Please pray for Trevor and I as we endeavor to be the leaders our church family needs to accomplish the mighty things God has for us.