Featured M2M Blogs {14}

September 23rd – October 6th

Be sure to visit these ladies, connect with them, and read more about their hearts, their journeys and their families!

Bethany @ Confessions of a Chosen One
Stephanie @ Confessions of a Not So Perfect PW
Amanda @ Confessions of a Wannabe Supermom
Sara @ Confessions of the Pastor’s Wife
Cheryl @ Mrs Preacher

This is not a blog contest.  This is just a way to put your blog in a more accessible spot to allow more women to find your link, visit your blog and connect with you.  The Featured M2M Blogs are listed down the right hand column of The Preacher’s Wife.  We will choose five new blogs every two weeks on Fridays.  To become a featured blog, all you have to do is be listed on the M2M Blogroll and be an active blogger.  Email m2mblogroll[at]apreacherswife[dot]com to request to add your blog to the blogroll.

September 23, 2011 | Filed Under Featured M2M Blogs | 1 Comment 

On Silver Linings and Being Real

I may have whined a time or 7 about our internet woes since we’ve moved.  DSL is still not offered on our road and the next best option – a service called Boonlink that operates on radio signal, requires no contract, and has no usage limits  - wasn’t available to us because pre-tornado our “foliage density” blocked the transmission. 

Since our landscape has changed considerably I decided to try Boonlink one more time just in the off-chance the flattening of our foliage cleared the path for reliable service.  And praise the One who dwells in the High Heavens amidst silver-lined clouds, we got it!  I have internet!  I have internet!  I have internet!

What I still don’t have is a laptop.  I’m borrowing one that belongs to the church so I can work a little this week but the good news there is that I finally ordered a bright, shiny, Georgia Bulldog RED Dell that should be arriving in a couple of weeks.  We don’t even want to discuss how laboriously I wrestled with the Mac vs. Dell option but at the end of the day, I decided to stick with what I know because you know what they say about Old Dogs and their inability to learn New Tricks.

On another note of happiness, I had a fabulous weekend in Pigeon Forge, TN with some of my favorite people in this world.  My MIL plans a bible study retreat every year for her church ladies, my SIL brings a large contingent from hers, and several other friends and family join in the fun.  I also take Sydney with me because it is an excellent chance for us to have an Mom/Daughter getaway and she is more of a help to me than a hindrance.  It is always such a comfort to be among those who love you knowing that if you flat out blow it, they will still love you and not compare you unfavorably to all the awesome teachers they’ve had in years past.  They can’t do that because they’ve never had another teacher and I like it that way just fine.  Because I’m insecure like that.

One of the things we talked about was authenticity where we considered the question, “Are we the Real Deal?”  I normally don’t Tweet while I’m set aside for teaching but I was out shopping with my girl on break and opened it to see what was up with all my imaginary friends.  Beth Moore had quoted Melissa (her daughter) as saying that most of the time what we mean by ‘real’ is something negative. That struck me like a ton of bricks because something very similar was already in my teaching notes for that night and I took it as divine affirmation I was potentially on the right track.

The point I suggested was that if we find ourselves ending sentences with “I’m just saying”, it may be that what we just said wasn’t our just being real, it was our being real mean.  The one who prides herself on ‘telling it like it is” may just need to repent of hatefulness rather than glory in her plain-spokenness.  If we are fully aware that we are abrasive and hurting feelings on a regular basis, it’s not the public-at-large’s responsibility to learn to deal with us and our ‘authenticity’.  Does that mean our criticisms are unfounded? Not always.  But there is a world of difference between speaking truth in love and spewing the truth in hate. As NeedtoBreathe so eloquently states it, “Just cause I’m wrong it don’t make you right.  No you ain’t right.” 

And lest you think I’m pointing a mean finger, I only write these things because I’ve recognized it in my own self.  This *ain’t* always about you.  But if it is, maybe we can work on it together.

I’m just sayin’.

 

 

September 20, 2011 | Filed Under Event Recaps, Faith | 11 Comments 

Called Out: Church Families

Church Families

By Alyson Sandlin

 Church families can be wonderful, messy things.  I have deeply loved all 6 church families of which I have been a part.  The down side to loving something deeply is that you can be hurt deeply.  It’s the risk of living in community and it happens.  There have been a few moments in my life when it has taken all my strength and courage to walk back into church, to smile at people, to continue to love people. I always do, though (and not just because my husband’s job depends on it).  I always walk back in because the hurt and the risk are worth it.  As part of the body of Christ I’m not sure I could walk away now even if I wanted to.

In August of 2003 my husband and I lost our first baby.  I immediately went back to work, but church was a different story.  I wasn’t really mad at God – I never expected to be exempt from suffering – but I didn’t necessarily feel like worshiping Him either.  And then the thought of facing all those people who loved me and hurt for me – I couldn’t do it.  So the first Sunday after the miscarriage my husband went alone to church and I stayed curled up in my bed all morning.  By the second Sunday I knew I had to face it.

I don’t remember much about that Sunday, but I do remember standing in the sanctuary during the worship service unable to do anything but weep.  All around me my brothers and sisters were singing, but my tears were all I could offer God.  It felt good though, as if I could somehow rely on those around me to offer what I couldn’t in that moment.  Over the years my husband and I have reflected on that day and realized what a sacred moment that was.  It is a picture of what the body of Christ truly is when we step in and even worship for one another – offer praises when others can’t.

Yesterday was another similar moment, but this time I was the one who was able to sing.  Yesterday more brave souls gathered up their broken hearts and stepped into church to face the family and the God who loves them.  Yesterday I stood on the front row and sang to God about how He was good and merciful.  Maybe they were able to offer these praises to God, but my guess is that tears were all they had to offer. I offered my praises to my God, but also on their behalf.

It’s a good reminder for those days when I wonder what God was thinking when he set up this crazy thing called church.  It’s not perfect, it can be painful, but it’s good and it’s worth it.

 Alyson is a preschool teacher and preacher’s wife in Texas where they raise their 2 kids.  She blogs at Sophie Sue and John Curtis, Too!

*Are you interested in writing an article for Called Out?  Do you know someone who might?  Be sure to check out our submission guidelines.  If you have any questions or are ready to submit your article, please email us at submissions@apreacherswife.com.  We’ve loved what we’ve received, so please keep them coming!  Look for our next Called Out article on September 30.

September 16, 2011 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 2 Comments 

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