Comments on: after spiritual direction

By: Lorna

Lorna — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 06:08:03 +0000

so exciting

as I was reading this - I was thinking that no the gate is not closing to ministry - but to full time ministry for now -

Ps 16:6 I think says that the boundary lines are put in pleasant places for us by God and I really want to bless you as you continue to follow and obey Him

PS I wrote about signs today over at my place. Funny God is so awesomely funny sometimes.

By: 1-4 Grace

1-4 Grace — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 05:12:07 +0000

Love the gate analogy. It leaves room for so many possabilites, perhpas to not go back agian, but ability to llok back on where yo uahve been, thus using that expericne for the next journey…
“Gosh, that sloopy part with the losse rocks caused me to stumble a bit, need t owatch those in future, bu ya know when I stumbled, I looked down and saw the most goregous purple wildflowers, tiny and in such a small patch…”
Also, a Princess Bride fan, you can never have too much of that one.
Blessings,
1-4

By: Kelley

Kelley — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 03:45:28 +0000

Maybe the gate closing meant just what you thought it meant originally…that you were meant to leave SPC or at least meant to FEEL and GRIEVE and EMBODY what that would be like for you and your family AND then once you had FELT that “leaving” you were more able to see a way through to part time work that allowed for both healthy family and healthy ministry. And eventually come full circle back to your calling at SPC.

I think God’s calling and signs are like a river that changes course while all the while remaining the same river.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 01:08:45 +0000

I’m not sure that creating a program that grows from who you are is selfish…as I worked hard to make more space in my life, a question my spiritual director suggested I think about with respect to various activities was whether it was something that use the gifts particular to me, or whether this was something any competent soul could do? Sabbath programs, arts, these use your unique gifts and perspectives, yes?!

And yes, good spiritual direction is an incredible gift!

By: ppb

ppb — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 23:28:28 +0000

refuge. I like that.
Do you know the song Saranam? Reminds me of that.

By: Free to Be

Free to Be — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 21:23:20 +0000

While night shirt and shiite nerd would be quite a challenge; and since I know you love one, I might go that way. But still, breastfeed/fest breed seems to have lots of interesting possibilities, so that’s my vote.

The refuge of the gate with strong stones around, especially as it seems to be in the middle of an open sacred space, sounds like a really good place to be.

By: reverendmother

reverendmother — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 20:59:18 +0000

Beth, I was just listening to a lecture by Parker Palmer (check him out if you haven’t) and he was talking about “compartmentalization” and how this is often lifted up as an admirable trait. He really lamented this, quite convincingly. Good for you, looking for something that aligns with what you value.

He also talked about the struggle to align “the soul with the role”: who we are with what we do. Quakers aren’t usually prone to pithy rhymes but I really liked that. It has to do with authenticity and congruence, which seem all too rare these days. Yet it’s what we all long for, eh?

What’s cool about the Sabbath Project is that it allows my passion for ministry to connect with my passion for raising a healthy family (while trying to be healthy myself). That is one of the greatest gifts of four years of ministry at SPC. I don’t feel as much like I’m fulfilling a role, or even doing a job; rather, I am leading out of who I am and what I value and inviting others to come along, or not.

In one sense it’s selfish. I formulated the Lent Series on the creative arts because that’s what I’m interested in. In another sense, what is the alternative? They called *me* to be their pastor, right? (And people did enjoy it.)

By: Beth

Beth — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 20:46:10 +0000

My thoughts while reading this post was that the gate shut and you were in a safe sanctuary. A place where contemplation and free thought can come to be examined without issue. I feel that you are on the right path with the part time minestry, for the moment. I think your calling is greater and will be able to be explored and fufilled in its greatness in a few years (once all are over 5).

I was told yesterday that I need to have passion for my work, that when I walk through the door, the outside world can not interfear with the corporate world that I am a part of. It was at that point that I made my decision to find a new job that allows me to be with my family more often that I currently am. My passion is my family. My job is just that - a job - a means of support. There will be sacrifice and we will have to cut back on many, many things, but thats just it. Its things.

Your passion is your ministry, but it needs to be how you define it and choose to share it as opposed to how the Suburban Presby defines it.

Just a few thoughts from an invisable interneter…

Beth

By: Marie

Marie — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 20:34:07 +0000

Aside: I love that quote from Princess Bride. In our house, our favorite is “Lemme splain. No, there is too much. Lemme sum up.”

On topic: I love how you’re living the questions around this issue and allowing us in. And yes, good spiritual direction is a fantastic thing.