I just wanted you to know, blog world, that I am in fact still here. And I haven't let the blogging go by the wayside. Rather I have just been absolutely inundated with the activities on my to do list. Pregnant ladies should have at least one extra day added to their weeks...seven days just isn't enough when a mere trip to the grocery store feels like climbing Mt. Everest.
In short, I just wanted to put all your anxious minds at rest and let you know that I will soon return. Hopefully after this Sunday things will normalize a bit...that is before normal is forever lost when Miss Priss arrives. (She says hello, by the way.)
Until then, I leave you with this closing thought: Heartburn sucks!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Sunday's Sermon (AKA: A Copout Post)
The following sermon was preached this past Sunday, April 13. It was the day the congregation celebrated the work of Rainbow Place, the women's homeless shelter which is housed on the third floor of our education building November through March. You will note, perhaps with thanksgiving, that the sermon is a little short. This is because there were other celebratory pieces of the service that cut into my preaching time. Bummer about that.
The texts were Genesis 9:8-17 and Matthew 25:31-46.
A few weeks ago my husband Andy and I were driving to Babies ‘R’ Us in Silver Spring. As we slowed down at a stoplight I noticed some motion outside the car out of the corner of my eye. I turned my head to look at the van next to us. The driver truly seemed to be having a fit. She was vehemently pointing at something in the distance and mouthing some words. Andy and I looked over our shoulders in the direction in which she was pointing and didn’t see a thing. So we turned back to the woman with curious looks on our faces, a little alarmed at what might be wrong. She continued to point and jump up and down to the degree one is able to do so in a seatbelt. Andy rolled down his window to find out exactly what had this woman so excited. The lady rolled down her window and said, “Look! Look! A rainbow!” Andy and I turned our heads, politely admired the rainbow, and smiled at the lady as traffic began to move again.
Meanwhile, inside the car Andy and I were more than a little amused that a grown woman could react with such enthusiasm to a rainbow. You really would have thought that the woman had spotted that elusive rainbow with the pot of gold at the end. It is true, I must admit, that Andy and I were a little less than gracious in how we mocked her after driving away, but it was just so bizarre.
It occurred to me, however, as I was thinking about this sermon that this stranger’s joy over seeing a rainbow is probably how we should react when our skies are unexpectedly adorned with such beauty, a beauty that reminds us of God’s grace. Even more, I imagine that this lady’s jumping up and down is exactly how Noah and his family responded when they laid eyes on that first rainbow. Noah’s family had been on a boat for forty days with hundreds of animals. The family had no access to fresh food, entertainment, or an escape from the cacophony of smells and sounds produced by the animals. This in and of itself would have been tough. However, the situation had to have been even more horrific as Noah’s family watched the only world they had ever known slowly drown. How many lives did Noah see lost? How many homes did he see destroyed? How much despair must he have felt?
In light of this misery that Noah had been living in, what must that rainbow have meant to him? And not just the physical spectacle of it all, but the promise it came with. At this point God says to Noah, “This was a horrible moment in our history together. But I make this promise to you now: it will never happen again. Whenever the storms come in the future, the rainbow in the sky will be a sign that all of creation will not be destroyed. There may be hard times, some lives may be lost, but I will never abandon you. I am your God and this rainbow will serve as a sign of my love and my promise to you.” That rainbow in the sky was a physical sign of Noah’s salvation, a physical sign that his burden had been lifted and that God would support him
I imagine that the joy Noah felt when he saw the rainbow God put in the sky for him, is similar to the joy and hope that the women who are the guests of Rainbow Place feel when the shelter opens up for the season. Many of these women have endured storm after storm from the beginning of their lives. Some of these women lived comfortably until unexpected storms of massive sizes capsized their lives. The struggles these women face are endless. For whatever reason, their abilities to successfully procure stability for themselves are minimal. And, because of this, as Elliot Liebow says in his book Tell Them Who I Am,
The humanity of the women is under constant threat and by no means easy to preserve. Most homeless women are engaged in an unremitting struggle to remain human in the face of inhuman conditions.
Without a doubt, it is significant that, on the nights they stay at Rainbow, the women have a safe place to sleep, eat, bathe, and have other basic needs met, but what is more critical is that the women receive human companionship from those who are able to look past their physical exteriors, able to look past the label of homeless. When the women walk through the doors of Rainbow they are no longer the odd person out, no longer a drain on society. They no longer receive skeptical looks or have to wait in interminable lines only to be told they are ineligible for services. Rather, they become children of God; they become women through whom the face of Jesus shines just as brightly as it does through anyone in this sanctuary. Again from Elliot Liebow’s book, when talking about the environment of Rainbow Place he says,
The rules…were few and mainly limited to what one must not do…There was nothing that one must do. Everything not forbidden was allowed, thereby allowing maximum freedom. The women were allowed to be themselves.
Thus, it appears that the work and ministry of Rainbow Place carries out the commands of Jesus inherent in this morning’s Matthew text. As one of the Rainbow board members told me, “You can pretty much carry out all the tasks mentioned in this passage in one night at Rainbow.” Hungry women are fed. Thirsty women are given a drink. The woman who walks in the door a stranger is welcomed just as much as one who has spent many a winter in the shelter. Women lacking clean clothes are given new clothes and the opportunity to wash their dirty ones. And the sick are cared for. Only the command to visit the imprisoned is not explicitly lived out at a night at Rainbow. But I imagine a number of the women would agree that living the life of a homeless woman is a prison in of itself, even if the metal bars are absent.
The ministry of Rainbow Place is the ministry of Jesus Christ himself, and there is much we can learn from what happens there. Twenty-six years ago members of Rockville Presbyterian Church saw a need in this community and rather than simply bemoan the circumstances of that need, they asked themselves what they could do to fix it. They asked themselves what they could do to improve the world and make it more like the place God intended it to be. And then they took it one step further: after answering these hard questions, the founders of Rainbow Place took action. They didn’t merely observe the hardships of the homeless of Montgomery County, note the sadness, and then move on. Rather, they formulated a plan and enacted it, overcoming many hurdles and roadblocks.
I wonder how frequently most of us, even with the best intentions at heart, fail to take that last step? We find ourselves lamenting injustices we see in the world and yet fail to act on it. We bemoan that we are living in a country with political leaders who have led us down unwanted paths, but then barely make the effort to vote, much less actively support candidates we believe can make true change. We stand astonished at the deplorable state of public education in this country, but fail to provide inexpensive supplies to low-income children, much less take the time to tutor an at-risk child. In short, we ignore the command inherent in Jesus’ message.
What then are we to do? I believe we are to model the actions taken by those who went before us, the founders of Rainbow Place, and those walk among us now, the current staff and volunteers of Rainbow Place. These folks are able to truly look at those our society has deemed “the least of these,” and love them anyway. In fact, they take it a step past love. They turn their love into actions. This is what we are called to do. Regardless of who we encounter, no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation, age, political affiliations, socioeconomic status, no matter if they have piercings and tattoos and purple hair that we just don’t understand, we are called by Jesus Christ, the very one we profess our faith in, to act. Friends, the world is full of people in need. And God has gifted each and every one of us with the ability to serve. Perhaps you are good at math-find a struggling student to tutor. Perhaps you are a gifted seamstress-make blankets for children in Intensive Care Units. Perhaps you are talented at woodworking-sign up to assist with Habitat for Humanity. The world needs your gifts. God depends on your gifts.
On this morning when we celebrate the work of the men and women who make Rainbow Place a safe harbor of sustenance and hope, our challenge is to find the face of Christ in all who we encounter and open up our hearts and lives to them in such a way that they can’t help but see the face of Christ looking back at them.
The texts were Genesis 9:8-17 and Matthew 25:31-46.
A few weeks ago my husband Andy and I were driving to Babies ‘R’ Us in Silver Spring. As we slowed down at a stoplight I noticed some motion outside the car out of the corner of my eye. I turned my head to look at the van next to us. The driver truly seemed to be having a fit. She was vehemently pointing at something in the distance and mouthing some words. Andy and I looked over our shoulders in the direction in which she was pointing and didn’t see a thing. So we turned back to the woman with curious looks on our faces, a little alarmed at what might be wrong. She continued to point and jump up and down to the degree one is able to do so in a seatbelt. Andy rolled down his window to find out exactly what had this woman so excited. The lady rolled down her window and said, “Look! Look! A rainbow!” Andy and I turned our heads, politely admired the rainbow, and smiled at the lady as traffic began to move again.
Meanwhile, inside the car Andy and I were more than a little amused that a grown woman could react with such enthusiasm to a rainbow. You really would have thought that the woman had spotted that elusive rainbow with the pot of gold at the end. It is true, I must admit, that Andy and I were a little less than gracious in how we mocked her after driving away, but it was just so bizarre.
It occurred to me, however, as I was thinking about this sermon that this stranger’s joy over seeing a rainbow is probably how we should react when our skies are unexpectedly adorned with such beauty, a beauty that reminds us of God’s grace. Even more, I imagine that this lady’s jumping up and down is exactly how Noah and his family responded when they laid eyes on that first rainbow. Noah’s family had been on a boat for forty days with hundreds of animals. The family had no access to fresh food, entertainment, or an escape from the cacophony of smells and sounds produced by the animals. This in and of itself would have been tough. However, the situation had to have been even more horrific as Noah’s family watched the only world they had ever known slowly drown. How many lives did Noah see lost? How many homes did he see destroyed? How much despair must he have felt?
In light of this misery that Noah had been living in, what must that rainbow have meant to him? And not just the physical spectacle of it all, but the promise it came with. At this point God says to Noah, “This was a horrible moment in our history together. But I make this promise to you now: it will never happen again. Whenever the storms come in the future, the rainbow in the sky will be a sign that all of creation will not be destroyed. There may be hard times, some lives may be lost, but I will never abandon you. I am your God and this rainbow will serve as a sign of my love and my promise to you.” That rainbow in the sky was a physical sign of Noah’s salvation, a physical sign that his burden had been lifted and that God would support him
I imagine that the joy Noah felt when he saw the rainbow God put in the sky for him, is similar to the joy and hope that the women who are the guests of Rainbow Place feel when the shelter opens up for the season. Many of these women have endured storm after storm from the beginning of their lives. Some of these women lived comfortably until unexpected storms of massive sizes capsized their lives. The struggles these women face are endless. For whatever reason, their abilities to successfully procure stability for themselves are minimal. And, because of this, as Elliot Liebow says in his book Tell Them Who I Am,
The humanity of the women is under constant threat and by no means easy to preserve. Most homeless women are engaged in an unremitting struggle to remain human in the face of inhuman conditions.
Without a doubt, it is significant that, on the nights they stay at Rainbow, the women have a safe place to sleep, eat, bathe, and have other basic needs met, but what is more critical is that the women receive human companionship from those who are able to look past their physical exteriors, able to look past the label of homeless. When the women walk through the doors of Rainbow they are no longer the odd person out, no longer a drain on society. They no longer receive skeptical looks or have to wait in interminable lines only to be told they are ineligible for services. Rather, they become children of God; they become women through whom the face of Jesus shines just as brightly as it does through anyone in this sanctuary. Again from Elliot Liebow’s book, when talking about the environment of Rainbow Place he says,
The rules…were few and mainly limited to what one must not do…There was nothing that one must do. Everything not forbidden was allowed, thereby allowing maximum freedom. The women were allowed to be themselves.
Thus, it appears that the work and ministry of Rainbow Place carries out the commands of Jesus inherent in this morning’s Matthew text. As one of the Rainbow board members told me, “You can pretty much carry out all the tasks mentioned in this passage in one night at Rainbow.” Hungry women are fed. Thirsty women are given a drink. The woman who walks in the door a stranger is welcomed just as much as one who has spent many a winter in the shelter. Women lacking clean clothes are given new clothes and the opportunity to wash their dirty ones. And the sick are cared for. Only the command to visit the imprisoned is not explicitly lived out at a night at Rainbow. But I imagine a number of the women would agree that living the life of a homeless woman is a prison in of itself, even if the metal bars are absent.
The ministry of Rainbow Place is the ministry of Jesus Christ himself, and there is much we can learn from what happens there. Twenty-six years ago members of Rockville Presbyterian Church saw a need in this community and rather than simply bemoan the circumstances of that need, they asked themselves what they could do to fix it. They asked themselves what they could do to improve the world and make it more like the place God intended it to be. And then they took it one step further: after answering these hard questions, the founders of Rainbow Place took action. They didn’t merely observe the hardships of the homeless of Montgomery County, note the sadness, and then move on. Rather, they formulated a plan and enacted it, overcoming many hurdles and roadblocks.
I wonder how frequently most of us, even with the best intentions at heart, fail to take that last step? We find ourselves lamenting injustices we see in the world and yet fail to act on it. We bemoan that we are living in a country with political leaders who have led us down unwanted paths, but then barely make the effort to vote, much less actively support candidates we believe can make true change. We stand astonished at the deplorable state of public education in this country, but fail to provide inexpensive supplies to low-income children, much less take the time to tutor an at-risk child. In short, we ignore the command inherent in Jesus’ message.
What then are we to do? I believe we are to model the actions taken by those who went before us, the founders of Rainbow Place, and those walk among us now, the current staff and volunteers of Rainbow Place. These folks are able to truly look at those our society has deemed “the least of these,” and love them anyway. In fact, they take it a step past love. They turn their love into actions. This is what we are called to do. Regardless of who we encounter, no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation, age, political affiliations, socioeconomic status, no matter if they have piercings and tattoos and purple hair that we just don’t understand, we are called by Jesus Christ, the very one we profess our faith in, to act. Friends, the world is full of people in need. And God has gifted each and every one of us with the ability to serve. Perhaps you are good at math-find a struggling student to tutor. Perhaps you are a gifted seamstress-make blankets for children in Intensive Care Units. Perhaps you are talented at woodworking-sign up to assist with Habitat for Humanity. The world needs your gifts. God depends on your gifts.
On this morning when we celebrate the work of the men and women who make Rainbow Place a safe harbor of sustenance and hope, our challenge is to find the face of Christ in all who we encounter and open up our hearts and lives to them in such a way that they can’t help but see the face of Christ looking back at them.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Warning! Busy Week Ahead!
So, friends, I just wanted to let you know that the blog might have to play second fiddle over the next few days, if not the coming weeks. There is a lot going on! Our (mine and Andy's) calendars are starting to fill with pediatrician visits (to find the right one), continued baby class, baby showers, sermon writing, visits from both my parents, the RPC youth auction, and more. These are just the things that I can remember without looking at my calendar.
Plus, it takes about 30% of my day just to make it up the blasted stairs to my apartment.
Thus, with my limited energy, I will have to make other things a priority. Though it would be pretty funny to get up in the pulpit and just read blog posts instead of a sermon. (Many people are under the misconception that minster types aren't real people...blog reading would cure 'em of that kind of thinking really quickly!)
So, until we meet again, hang tough! (Yes, it's true the New Kids on the Block have reunited, are recording new music, are going on tour, and (some of them) are still cute! There is a God!)
Plus, it takes about 30% of my day just to make it up the blasted stairs to my apartment.
Thus, with my limited energy, I will have to make other things a priority. Though it would be pretty funny to get up in the pulpit and just read blog posts instead of a sermon. (Many people are under the misconception that minster types aren't real people...blog reading would cure 'em of that kind of thinking really quickly!)
So, until we meet again, hang tough! (Yes, it's true the New Kids on the Block have reunited, are recording new music, are going on tour, and (some of them) are still cute! There is a God!)
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
What Are You Thankful For? (April 2008 Edition)
It is time for this month's installment of my gratitude list. It is funny how much I enjoy doing this. I think part of the reason I like it is because it is a chance to let people know that I appreciate them. So here's to you if you made the list...if you're not on it, perhaps you should re-evaluate some things, huh? (Kidding.)
I am thankful for/that...
1. All the previously pregnant women (especially those with new babies) who are willing to share their stories with me...even the gory parts;
2. My parents will each get to be at one of the two baby showers that are being thrown for us. My dad and his wife are coming next weekend and will get to attend the shower at Andy's church with us. My mom will come the following weekend and get to attend the shower at my church. Hooray!;
3. That my husband, despite getting me sick in the first place, is turning out to be a pretty good nursemaid;
4. ChapStick...I love that stuff, man! Especially as I am currently unable to breathe through my nose and my lips feel like Florida in August;
5. Andy and I will celebrate 4 years of marriage on Thursday. So, four years ago today, we were having a shrimp boil at my mom's house in Baton Rouge with family and local friends. It was a great time! (We won't talk about the rehearsal!);
6. The baby will be here SOON! She is due two months from tomorrow, but we've been having a conversation about how it is okay if she wants to come 7-10 days early (as long as she's done doing her thing inside me);
7. Spring is here! The weather is starting to show signs of turning the corner, flowers are blooming, the birds are at the feeder...new life abounds!;
8. I have a washer and dryer in my apartment. I swear the laundry is never done and if I had to walk up and down 4 flights of stairs with all those clothes...well, let's just say we'd have smelly clothes on quite frequently;
9. People are reading my blog. Most of them appear to blog voyeurs, but my location map tells me that they are in fact reading. And for those of you who actually comment, you get a gold star in this month's gratitude list!;
10. I know that I am loved and have people (and kitties) to love back!
I am thankful for/that...
1. All the previously pregnant women (especially those with new babies) who are willing to share their stories with me...even the gory parts;
2. My parents will each get to be at one of the two baby showers that are being thrown for us. My dad and his wife are coming next weekend and will get to attend the shower at Andy's church with us. My mom will come the following weekend and get to attend the shower at my church. Hooray!;
3. That my husband, despite getting me sick in the first place, is turning out to be a pretty good nursemaid;
4. ChapStick...I love that stuff, man! Especially as I am currently unable to breathe through my nose and my lips feel like Florida in August;
5. Andy and I will celebrate 4 years of marriage on Thursday. So, four years ago today, we were having a shrimp boil at my mom's house in Baton Rouge with family and local friends. It was a great time! (We won't talk about the rehearsal!);
6. The baby will be here SOON! She is due two months from tomorrow, but we've been having a conversation about how it is okay if she wants to come 7-10 days early (as long as she's done doing her thing inside me);
7. Spring is here! The weather is starting to show signs of turning the corner, flowers are blooming, the birds are at the feeder...new life abounds!;
8. I have a washer and dryer in my apartment. I swear the laundry is never done and if I had to walk up and down 4 flights of stairs with all those clothes...well, let's just say we'd have smelly clothes on quite frequently;
9. People are reading my blog. Most of them appear to blog voyeurs, but my location map tells me that they are in fact reading. And for those of you who actually comment, you get a gold star in this month's gratitude list!;
10. I know that I am loved and have people (and kitties) to love back!
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