What I Did On My Summer Vacation

When I was in  elementary school, on our first day back from our  summer break , the teacher would ask us to share how we spent our summer.   Most of my summers were spent with my grandparents in Ft. Myers , Fla...it was hot and humid and icky but I sure did love spending time with  Nana and Da. Da would make us milkshakes almost daily. Nana would take us to the local Five and Dime store. We got to visit cousins at Sanibel Island and we'd always take a trip to the Shell Factory. We'd pick oranges fresh off their trees, play Crazy 8s and WAR for hours, and then meet up with the neighborhood kids and run around until  the street lights came on. Every time I hear the song of the cicadas, I think about my summers in  Florida.

​Recently, I   received a grant  for six weeks off. SIX WEEKS to renew, refresh, and reflect.  SIX WEEKS, I found out was a really long time away from  my passion and my joy. Yes, I had a  lovely time reconnecting with my husband. We went to Asheville and Charlotte and enjoyed the local breweries. We started dance classes (Swing!). I organized our house, planned our oldest daughter's baby shower, spent time with our grandgirl and  our two girls, had fun with my new camera. I read books for FUN! Something I hadn't done since before seminary. BUT...my heart was longing to be with my flock, to serve them and God's people.

When you do what you love, it's not a job.   This holy and wonderous calling that God has given me is such a gift.  Is it hard? Yep. Is it frustrating? At times.  But more than anything, it is a joy and a privilege.
I'm not perfect, those whom I serve are not perfect...the Church is not perfect...because it's comprised of broken people. WE are the church. It's not the building at 4811 High St W.  We are this amazing community of broken, weird, lovely people that God has  brought together.   We share our problems (that we turn into prayer), our achievements (and we give the glory to God), our  gifts (to serve each other and the world)...and this plus our love for Jesus makes us family. We are  bound together in baptism as  siblings in Christ and made whole and worthy because of Christ. God has given us such a gift in this mishmashed community and we each come as we are, just as God has made us....not perfect, but blessed...fully loved and fully known...fully forgiven and grace abounds. 

I'm so happy to be back...every day pastoring...every day serving...every day counted as a gift and an honor to  be a part of this amazing community I get to call home.  Thanks be to God!
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