What I Love....

Well, obviously I love lots of things. But here's the one that's making me smile tonight.

I love the people in my church. I love the sense of....not accountability, exactly....but the sense of having people look out for each other. More specifically, people who have relationships--like family--looking out for each other. I miss my brothers terribly right now, but that's the thing I can most liken it to. Sometimes teasing or playful, sometimes direct, but mostly just....connected.

Here's an example. The other night, I went to Rose's to watch Glee. Y'all know I can't help myself, even though the plots are pushing my buttons lately and my loyalty is waning. Still, though, Mr. Shu has such a good heart, and, sigh..... So I'm there waiting for the show to come on, communing with my friend, and I get a text: "Where are you?" I replied, "Watching Glee w/Rose..." (duh)... The quick response followed, "Pagan." That just cracks me up. No need to lecture me ad nauseum, but direct, nonetheless. It reminded me of when I got my tattoo, Mom had finally finished crying, Neeny caught a glimpse of it, and simply remarked, "That was stupid." And that was the end of it. It's the relationship that makes the words carry the weight.

Another example: I ask on Facebook for book recommendations. I get the standard "Vampire Love Garbage..." from some friends, but those who are like family from church send me messages about the importance of reading for edification, along with links to Amazon, and WHY they recommend the passages. One time, a friend suggested Joel Osteen and Rob Bell and a bunch of other pseudo-theology books as a joke....and it just cracks me up and makes me feel....guarded...and loved. Does that make sense? Like, "Lord, if I deny you and end up in Hell, it will not be because you haven't sent all these faithful, funny, shepherds into my path to keep me from wandering...."

I just feel like we have this wealth of amazing folks at church, and if each of them heads out into the world and does that "build relationships, speak truth" thing with all of the people in their NEW congregations, Christ will be exalted and people will come back and plug into those faith communities. And while I miss them when they move on to serve elsewhere, that's just good stuff.
:-)