Monthly Archives: February 2009

Spin Cycle: Change

27 Friday Feb 2009

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I remember running from the church, across the street, and down the block to the school where my Sunday school class was held. I was the first kid there. As I burst into the room, I burst into tears. My dad, the pastor at a small town church, had announced that Sunday that we were moving. I knew about the decision in advance, but his announcement made it real. My Sunday school teacher comforted me, and when my family moved, she gave me a Biblical crossword puzzle book that I held on to for a long time.

Moving from a town of population 800 to a suburb of a major city was quite a culture shock for this 12-year-old girl. We were thrilled that just a few blocks from our new house was a public library, a movie theater, AND a public pool. It was unheard of, to have these luxuries so close!

The downside? Starting seventh grade as the new pastor’s kid. Let the teasing begin! I was lonely and overwhelmed by the changes in my life. I would have moved back to that small town in a second, if my parents had asked. Eventually, good things began to happen and I was glad my parents had moved our family to the suburbs.

I stayed a member of our new church even after I moved out of my parent’s house and had an apartment and job of my own. After a number of failed relationships, I developed a crush on a certain someone who had been a member at the church since he was in preschool. He was four years older than me (still is!) and so we never played together as kids. He was one of the cool, older guys in youth group, who went away to school before I was old enough to even be in youth group.

My mom grew tired of me telling her how much I liked this guy, (I was too chicken to ask him out directly) and got his email address for me. At the time, he was teaching Sunday school, and so I asked him out for a cup of coffee after he was done with class. He replied, “What about pancakes?”

One date led to another, and now we have been married for almost six years. Would I have found my soul mate if my parents hadn’t moved us from one town to another? Would I be as happy as I am now? Would I have two, beautiful daughters?

I’ll just say this: Mom and Dad, I owe you one! (ahem…I owe you a lot more than one, but who has that much time?)

I’m writing this post for the Spin Cycle over at Sprite’s Keeper. Check out all those other stories about change!

Book Nook: "Love Bade Me Welcome"

26 Thursday Feb 2009

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Ed tells me that it’s very strange, that as a pastor’s kid, I find it hard to talk about my faith. I was surrounded by faith growing up, and yet it’s hard for me to lead a prayer at a committee meeting at church. I should qualify this…I have trouble sharing my faith with adults. I’m also a Sunday school teacher, and telling Bible stories and praying with kids is a lot simpler.

Perhaps it’s because we’re Lutheran; Lutherans are not known for jumping around and shouting “Amen!” Maybe I’m afraid that I’ll say something that is theologically incorrect, and embarrass myself since I’m a pastor’s kid, after all.

I’m going to break out of my mold today, and share a poem that defines my faith. I was reminded of these words when I was writing about the importance of love in our lives yesterday.

When I was in college, I sang in various choirs. One choir I was fortunate to sing in went on tours during spring break. We sang at various churches and stayed with members of the church’s congregation. This song was one of my favorites; it is a poem set to music by Ralph Vaughan Williams. It is mostly a solo piece; I still remember the baritone that sang it. He was a graduate student, a little older than the rest of us, tall and thin with a bushy beard. I can still hear his voice filling the church during a concert:

Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-ey’d Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
If I lack’d anything.

“A guest,” I answer’d, “worthy to be here”;
Love said, “You shall be he.”
“I, the unkind, the ungrateful? ah my dear,
I cannot look on thee.”
Love took my hand and smiling did reply,
“Who made the eyes but I?”

“Truth, Lord, but I have marr’d them; let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.”
“And know you not,” says Love, “who bore the blame?”
“My dear, then I will serve.”
“You must sit down,” says Love, “and taste my meat.”
So I did sit and eat.

George Herbert (1593-1633)

Written by an Anglican priest, Love refers to Christ, who serves us even though we do not deserve to be served at all. I attended our Ash Wednesday service last night, and the words spoke to me even more. Lent is the season of repentance and forgiveness, and with some of the jealous and judgmental thoughts I’ve been thinking lately, I definitely need forgiveness!

And so I’ll end this post with a simple prayer…Thank you, Lord, for your forgiveness. Amen