I know, I have become the blogger that I hate. I wrote four or five posts and lost interest. A big part of this is that I'm not sure that my thoughts are interesting. School has also began which means that my mind is loaded on accounting terms. Currently, my thoughts are filled with Accumulated Depreciation, Compound Interest, and Operating Net Income. I'm sure that no one would stick around to read those blogs!
Fret not, readers, that is the only time that those terms will be mentioned. Instead, I will tell you funny stories about my job. I work at a construction company with all guys. Whenever I tell this to older people, they instantly cluck their tongue and tell me what an awful place to work it must be. Granted, it's not the perfect job. But for the most part, they do truly respect me and work well around me. They keep foul language to a minimum (unless they don't realize I'm back from lunch) and are more curious than anything else about Christ.
One thing that I have really come to love about being a pastor's wife is that you are instantly branded a Christian. There is no general wondering about when I should mention this. Once a person notices my wedding ring, they naturally ask about Tim and where he works. So, the guys were warned in advance that they would be hiring in their words a "religious" person. Their lack of knowledge has made for some pretty hilarious, and at times, great conversations. Scroll down for humorous snippets.
"You remind me of Ghandi. Do you know who he is? He was really passionate about his beliefs too."
"You made me think I should start reading my Bible again. I decided to start in Job. That's a quick, fun read, right?"
"Wait, you mean to tell me that you go to church on Sunday, bible study on Monday, and Wednesday! The Rev is strict with you!" (Forgot to mention, they don't refer to Tim by name. Instead, he has been branded "The Rev".)
"I just heard Amazing Grace at a funeral. I'm sure you just heard that Sunday.......You don't sing Amazing Grace every Sunday? Then what do you sing?"
"I don't think I've been to church since my niece's baptism." (Another weird phenomenon. If someone is uncomfortable with Tim's profession, they usually tell me the last time they have been to church. Because that matters.)
"So you mean you read the Bible everyday? Like the whole Bible?"
"If you don't close your eyes when you pray, does it count?"
"If The Rev would ever go to a different job, would he put God down as a reference."
There are so many directions I could go with this topic. I could talk about how God has been using me. How there are a few guys who have NEVER thought of church because of how stuffy it seems that are now asking great questions. I could talk about how everyone was terrified to meet "The Rev" and have now come to love him. He is constantly being asked about. They are going to take him deer hunting in fact.
However, the most appropriate stand on this topic seems to be where I am fallen. How many times have I been worried to share who I belong to? How many times have I been nervous that if I share my faith too soon, it will simply turn people off. This fear is nothing more than from Satan who delights in my silence. These are supposed to be some of the most difficult, crass men who have nothing but honest questions. If anything, I think they respect my faith. There definitely will be opposition to Christ in the world, I have no doubt. But sometimes when people have a face to go with it, they are a little less likely to oppose.
I don't want to be at this job forever. There are a lot of days that are quite frustrating for me. However, I am thankful knowing that I am doing the Lord's work while I am here. For most of these men, this may be the closest that they have ever been to church. I need to be constantly reminded of their reactions and to be BOLD in my faith. All to His Glory.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
I Don't Have The Time
This past weekend, I sat in a car for seven hours. My gram needed help cleaning and decorating her apartment and I went to give assistance. The car ride from our home to her is brutal. There is no scenery besides the crops and the forgotten vehicles in yards. The drive is relatively straight, so even the road doesn't demand your attention. So straight, in fact, that Tim and I have joked that if you could find a way to lock the steering wheel that you could take a nap for two and a half hours.
This drive was torture to me. I didn't mind if I had someone with me or if I can set up a time to call a friend to catch up on the way. However, if no one was available, I would be completely bored in the car. When I would be able to get the occasional station to tune in on my radio, the music didn't satisfy me. Finally, I discovered audio books. Audio books have become my go to entertainment for trips, and helped to decrease annoyance to all of my friends who I would always try to call. For this weekend, it was Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis.
Although I love almost all of Lewis's work, I must say that this is one of my favorites of his writings. For the unfortunate ones who haven't had the chance to read this, I REALLY recommend it. To understand the rest of post, you need to know a little background on this book. Lewis writes the book from the perspective of two demons. There is an older, experienced demon that is teaching the ways of trapping and tempting the human he is assigned to.
"Men are not angered by mere misfortune but by misfortune conceived as injury. And the sense of injury depends on the feeling that a legitimate claim has been denied. The more claims on life, therefore, that your patient can be induced to make, the more often he will feel injured and, as a result, ill-tempered. Now you will have noticed that nothing throws him into a passion so easily as to find a tract of time which he reckoned on having at his own disposal unexpectedly taken from him. It is the unexpected visitor (when he looked forward to a quiet evening), or the friend's talkative wife (turning up when he looked forward to a tête-à-tête with the friend), that throw him out of gear. Now he is not yet so uncharitable or slothful that these small demands on his courtesy are in themselves too much for it. They anger him because he regards his time as his own and feels that it is being stolen. You must therefore zealously guard in his mind the curious assumption "My time is my own". Let him have the feeling that he starts each day as the lawful possessor of twenty-four hours. Let him feel as a grievous tax that portion of this property which he has to make over to his employers, and as a generous donation that further portion which he allows to religious duties. But what he must never be permitted to doubt is that the total from which these deductions have been made was, in some mysterious sense, his own personal birthright."
After reading that, anything I say would only take away. For all of you non Lewis loving fans, I hope I have turned you from your ways!
This drive was torture to me. I didn't mind if I had someone with me or if I can set up a time to call a friend to catch up on the way. However, if no one was available, I would be completely bored in the car. When I would be able to get the occasional station to tune in on my radio, the music didn't satisfy me. Finally, I discovered audio books. Audio books have become my go to entertainment for trips, and helped to decrease annoyance to all of my friends who I would always try to call. For this weekend, it was Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis.
"Men are not angered by mere misfortune but by misfortune conceived as injury. And the sense of injury depends on the feeling that a legitimate claim has been denied. The more claims on life, therefore, that your patient can be induced to make, the more often he will feel injured and, as a result, ill-tempered. Now you will have noticed that nothing throws him into a passion so easily as to find a tract of time which he reckoned on having at his own disposal unexpectedly taken from him. It is the unexpected visitor (when he looked forward to a quiet evening), or the friend's talkative wife (turning up when he looked forward to a tête-à-tête with the friend), that throw him out of gear. Now he is not yet so uncharitable or slothful that these small demands on his courtesy are in themselves too much for it. They anger him because he regards his time as his own and feels that it is being stolen. You must therefore zealously guard in his mind the curious assumption "My time is my own". Let him have the feeling that he starts each day as the lawful possessor of twenty-four hours. Let him feel as a grievous tax that portion of this property which he has to make over to his employers, and as a generous donation that further portion which he allows to religious duties. But what he must never be permitted to doubt is that the total from which these deductions have been made was, in some mysterious sense, his own personal birthright."
After reading that, anything I say would only take away. For all of you non Lewis loving fans, I hope I have turned you from your ways!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Just Newlyweds
We spent our weekend in Fargo. This wasn't some second honeymoon in good old ND. We went to attend a wedding of a good friend of ours. Post-college, I have come to love weddings. Weddings are a better version of a high school/college reunion because you're only running into your friends. I have never actually been to a reunion, nor do I plan on it, because most of the people I would run into are not high on my priority list. If I'm not close enough with that person to keep in touch, then I don't really mind if I know what they are doing with their lives now. So, for that reason, weddings are way better than reunions.
Weddings are also filled with fuzzy people. These are the people that you know and if you think about it hard enough, you can probably remember their names. Or, if you can't, you jab a parent, point, and are reminded of the fuzzy person. Usually along with pointless knowledge of them that you don't really care to know, such as which street they used to live on. Most had no clue that Tim and I were married. The usual question, "how long?" We would look at each other, smile, and answer that it had been two years. Warning, a rant is coming up. The couple would usually smirk at each other and reply "why, you're just newlyweds!"
What in the world does that mean? Just newlyweds? Oh, you're not REALLY married yet, you're newlyweds. You can't possibly understand what marriage is, you've only been married for two years. Wait a few more years and then we will recognize your marriage as valid.
Really folks? Sure, we may not have twenty years under the belt like some, but I tend to think we have a legitimate marriage. We have gone through huge, stressful changes together. Although these were not fun, they have made us much closer. Sadly, my brain had no logic in the actual conversation. Instead, I would reply with "Yep, but we dated for three years beforehand." Thinking that surely this would silence them. They would only shake their heads and say that dating is completely different than marriage. Which is true, dating is completely different.
But, isn't there a different response they could have had? Something along the lines of encouragement or congratulations? Maybe I'm over reacting. Maybe this is a phrase that they once heard and they wanted to bestow on someone. A rite of passage perhaps. Maybe I need to forget what they say like I have forgotten their names. Who cares what fuzzy people think anyway?
Weddings are also filled with fuzzy people. These are the people that you know and if you think about it hard enough, you can probably remember their names. Or, if you can't, you jab a parent, point, and are reminded of the fuzzy person. Usually along with pointless knowledge of them that you don't really care to know, such as which street they used to live on. Most had no clue that Tim and I were married. The usual question, "how long?" We would look at each other, smile, and answer that it had been two years. Warning, a rant is coming up. The couple would usually smirk at each other and reply "why, you're just newlyweds!"
What in the world does that mean? Just newlyweds? Oh, you're not REALLY married yet, you're newlyweds. You can't possibly understand what marriage is, you've only been married for two years. Wait a few more years and then we will recognize your marriage as valid.
Really folks? Sure, we may not have twenty years under the belt like some, but I tend to think we have a legitimate marriage. We have gone through huge, stressful changes together. Although these were not fun, they have made us much closer. Sadly, my brain had no logic in the actual conversation. Instead, I would reply with "Yep, but we dated for three years beforehand." Thinking that surely this would silence them. They would only shake their heads and say that dating is completely different than marriage. Which is true, dating is completely different.
But, isn't there a different response they could have had? Something along the lines of encouragement or congratulations? Maybe I'm over reacting. Maybe this is a phrase that they once heard and they wanted to bestow on someone. A rite of passage perhaps. Maybe I need to forget what they say like I have forgotten their names. Who cares what fuzzy people think anyway?
It may have only been two years, but it feels so much longer. Moving to the cities, full-time jobs, getting a puppy, buying a house. We really have enjoyed everything all of our big changes and each other along the way. So take that possibly well meaning veterans!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
25
Today is my man's birthday. The big 25. Since this is his day, I feel like it's one of those acceptable days where I get to brag about the guy that I married. For those who get annoyed by this sort of thing, you should probably stop reading now. Now for those who don't know him very well I've decided to give you a glimpse of who this guy REALLY is.
He can be a huge goof.
He has a smile for any situation, even if he's climbing up a cliff.
He always looks GREAT in a tux.
Another trait you may not know about him, he's selfless. His birthday is one of my favorite days because it is one of the very few times that he will actually allow people to show their gratitude for him. When I asked him what he wanted to do, he didn't want some big party or to go out to an expensive restaurant (which is what I usually ask for). He wanted to have the youth group over for grilling and for a bonfire. I love his heart. I love that even in his off time, he wants to be ministering to those kids. And, they love him just as much, which is not always the way relationships go with youth pastors and their kids.
Now you have a better idea of who that guy is that's always with me. If you get a chance to see him, tell him Happy Birthday!
Here he is with some of his youth on a road trip this summer.
He can be a huge goof.
He always looks GREAT in a tux.
And, he's a talented musician.
Another trait you may not know about him, he's selfless. His birthday is one of my favorite days because it is one of the very few times that he will actually allow people to show their gratitude for him. When I asked him what he wanted to do, he didn't want some big party or to go out to an expensive restaurant (which is what I usually ask for). He wanted to have the youth group over for grilling and for a bonfire. I love his heart. I love that even in his off time, he wants to be ministering to those kids. And, they love him just as much, which is not always the way relationships go with youth pastors and their kids.
Now you have a better idea of who that guy is that's always with me. If you get a chance to see him, tell him Happy Birthday!
Here he is with some of his youth on a road trip this summer.
I hit jackpot with this guy.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Rookie
Why hello blog world. I've finally decided to make a blog. Why, you ask? Is it because I'm terribly busy and can't keep up with friends? True, but no. In fact, that quite possibly should be the reason why I started this blog. If so, this is something that I should have done a long time ago. I really do have a hard time keeping up with friends and family at times.
However, I'm almost starting this blog out of guilt. It sounds weird, but bear with me. I love blogs. I love reading people's thoughts and learning about their lives. Those of you who I follow, I check your blogs often. I love knowing what's happening in your lives. Of course no one posts enough to keep me satisfied, so I find myself checking out your friends blogs too. Yup, I'm a creeper. But at the end of the day, I just love reading solid Christians and their thoughts about life. It is encouraging, even though I don't know some of these people, to know their thoughts about their thoughts and concerns.
So, I have come to feel like the friend who graciously receives every gift that is given to her but never gives one back. So times are a changing my friends. Not that I think I will have much to contribute in this area. I don't have the wisdom that so many of my friends have. In fact, there is a good chance that I will direct you to my more interesting friends' blogs a time or two. Thanks for reading, but I'm sure my blog isn't as interesting as yours.
However, I'm almost starting this blog out of guilt. It sounds weird, but bear with me. I love blogs. I love reading people's thoughts and learning about their lives. Those of you who I follow, I check your blogs often. I love knowing what's happening in your lives. Of course no one posts enough to keep me satisfied, so I find myself checking out your friends blogs too. Yup, I'm a creeper. But at the end of the day, I just love reading solid Christians and their thoughts about life. It is encouraging, even though I don't know some of these people, to know their thoughts about their thoughts and concerns.
So, I have come to feel like the friend who graciously receives every gift that is given to her but never gives one back. So times are a changing my friends. Not that I think I will have much to contribute in this area. I don't have the wisdom that so many of my friends have. In fact, there is a good chance that I will direct you to my more interesting friends' blogs a time or two. Thanks for reading, but I'm sure my blog isn't as interesting as yours.
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