Monday, November 29, 2010
Perspective
Today Landon grabbed a rubber band that was on the counter. She looked at it kinda weird. Then looked at me and said, "this silly band doesn't look like anything."
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Diversity
This weekend I was reminded of the diversity of the church that I serve.
Every weekend I seem to realize something different or something stands out to me. This weekend it was the diversity of the individuals that make up Fellowship Church.
When we went to service on Saturday it hit me during the worship music. I could see a friend's parents sitting a few rows in front of us. They were an elderly couple. They were singing every word and had their hands out. To the side of us I could see high school students in full on worship. They were shouting, bouncing, and just about ready to jump on top of their seats. I could also see the mom and daughter in front of us. Mom had her arms stretched up in surrender as her and her daughter sang along to every song. What a diverse group. All there for one reason: worship their creator.
Then on Sunday morning while I was working again I saw a show of diversity in the nursery. Normally you can predict the type of person who wants to work with the babies. Normally grandmothers and couples. Not us! We have all types: single moms, 18 yr old high school students, pastor's wife, even a couple with infertility issues who are struggling to have a child of their own. But the exchange I saw after our last service was special. We have an older lady who stays a little late to clean all the strollers. While she was doing her normal thing one of the girls that used to volunteer with her stopped by to say hello. The lady that cleans is the sweet old lady that her hair is always fixed up, smells nice, and everyone knows her name. The girl that came to see her, she did smell nice, but is covered in tattoos including a colorful neck tattoo, wears a pair of old check taylors, and has spiky hair. But they are friends. Now that's an odd couple. But it is just a normal friendship up there. Which made me feel special that I get to experience such a diverse place every week.
The last example was special to me. There is a guy that I have recently become friends with. He and I went to our men's conference earlier this year. We watched a few boxing matches together. We shared manly experiences. This weekend I saw him volunteer for the first time. And not just that, this manly man sang a sweet little girl to sleep. It wouldn't surprise me to hear him sing Led Zeplin any day of the week. But Sunday he sang You Are My Sunshine.
I am truly blessed by my experiences.
Every weekend I seem to realize something different or something stands out to me. This weekend it was the diversity of the individuals that make up Fellowship Church.
When we went to service on Saturday it hit me during the worship music. I could see a friend's parents sitting a few rows in front of us. They were an elderly couple. They were singing every word and had their hands out. To the side of us I could see high school students in full on worship. They were shouting, bouncing, and just about ready to jump on top of their seats. I could also see the mom and daughter in front of us. Mom had her arms stretched up in surrender as her and her daughter sang along to every song. What a diverse group. All there for one reason: worship their creator.
Then on Sunday morning while I was working again I saw a show of diversity in the nursery. Normally you can predict the type of person who wants to work with the babies. Normally grandmothers and couples. Not us! We have all types: single moms, 18 yr old high school students, pastor's wife, even a couple with infertility issues who are struggling to have a child of their own. But the exchange I saw after our last service was special. We have an older lady who stays a little late to clean all the strollers. While she was doing her normal thing one of the girls that used to volunteer with her stopped by to say hello. The lady that cleans is the sweet old lady that her hair is always fixed up, smells nice, and everyone knows her name. The girl that came to see her, she did smell nice, but is covered in tattoos including a colorful neck tattoo, wears a pair of old check taylors, and has spiky hair. But they are friends. Now that's an odd couple. But it is just a normal friendship up there. Which made me feel special that I get to experience such a diverse place every week.
The last example was special to me. There is a guy that I have recently become friends with. He and I went to our men's conference earlier this year. We watched a few boxing matches together. We shared manly experiences. This weekend I saw him volunteer for the first time. And not just that, this manly man sang a sweet little girl to sleep. It wouldn't surprise me to hear him sing Led Zeplin any day of the week. But Sunday he sang You Are My Sunshine.
I am truly blessed by my experiences.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Sweet Embrace
I had the privilege of witnessing one of the single greatest hugs I have ever seen this weekend.
There were many accommodations and specials scenarios that led up to the event. I could go into great detail but instead I will just tell the scene.
There we sat in a quiet room in the nursery. Just a normal Sunday. Worship music playing softly from the corner. And in a little glider I saw Jesus' hands wrap around a child and adult simultaneously.
The nursery volunteer was wearing a cute hat covering her still bald head from the effect the chemo had on her body. She had a smile that said that even though she was not the same externally, her soul was still filled with the Holy Spirit and no cancer would ever take that from her.
The child wore a baby doll dress with a matching headband. Her dress covered the plug where her feeding tube went in and also the port in her chest that was just used for her own chemo treatment. One of her hands gripped her Minnie Mouse doll and the other was wrapped around the volunteers body.
As we sat there all I could think about is they were both going through the same experience and were sharing a bond that not many of us will ever understand. I could see the looks in their eyes. No words were spoken. But the embrace was special. I will never forget that moment.
The little girl's parents were able to go experience worship for the first time since her treatment began and we sat in that quiet room praising God for His hand in this situation. Everything lined up perfectly for just that moment.
There were many accommodations and specials scenarios that led up to the event. I could go into great detail but instead I will just tell the scene.
There we sat in a quiet room in the nursery. Just a normal Sunday. Worship music playing softly from the corner. And in a little glider I saw Jesus' hands wrap around a child and adult simultaneously.
The nursery volunteer was wearing a cute hat covering her still bald head from the effect the chemo had on her body. She had a smile that said that even though she was not the same externally, her soul was still filled with the Holy Spirit and no cancer would ever take that from her.
The child wore a baby doll dress with a matching headband. Her dress covered the plug where her feeding tube went in and also the port in her chest that was just used for her own chemo treatment. One of her hands gripped her Minnie Mouse doll and the other was wrapped around the volunteers body.
As we sat there all I could think about is they were both going through the same experience and were sharing a bond that not many of us will ever understand. I could see the looks in their eyes. No words were spoken. But the embrace was special. I will never forget that moment.
The little girl's parents were able to go experience worship for the first time since her treatment began and we sat in that quiet room praising God for His hand in this situation. Everything lined up perfectly for just that moment.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Pockets
You don't know what you have until its gone. True.
I realized recently after pulling out a pair of old fleece pajama pants (gotta go deep in the drawer for something warm and snuggly once it goes under 70 degrees) that I have to have pockets on my sleepwear.
Weird I know. But all my other pajama bottoms have pockets on them. Didn't even realized that I used them until they were gone.
I shouldn't be concerned with carrying around stuff at 10 o'clock, but apparently I do.
Oh well, I guess I will add that to my funky list of things that make me happy.
I realized recently after pulling out a pair of old fleece pajama pants (gotta go deep in the drawer for something warm and snuggly once it goes under 70 degrees) that I have to have pockets on my sleepwear.
Weird I know. But all my other pajama bottoms have pockets on them. Didn't even realized that I used them until they were gone.
I shouldn't be concerned with carrying around stuff at 10 o'clock, but apparently I do.
Oh well, I guess I will add that to my funky list of things that make me happy.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Gooble Gobble
Just a normal day at work for me:Here is a conversation that I overheard in the nursery at church this past weekend.
Keep in mind the two ladies talking are very proper ladies that were volunteering at church this weekend, both are mothers of three small children, both are married to pastors at our church, and both are stay at home moms.
Lady #1: "We have found a live turkey to live in the lobby next weekend inside the Thanksgiving food drive display."
Lady #2: "Thats great. Who had it?"
Lady #1: "We borrowed it from a feed store."
Lady #2: "What are you going to do if it poops?"
Lady #1: "We found out that if it gets nervouse one time it will empty out, that way we only have to clean it up once."
Lady #2: "Great. Then you return it Monday?"
Lady #1: "Yes."
Lady #2: "You think they would sell it to me? We need a turkey."
All of that is totally normal right?
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