I just started reading Aron Osborne’s book, So Many Mountains, Which One to Climb. I only got to page 5 of the introduction, when I had to stop; I’m deep in thought.. Aron’s focus is not even the main thing that I’m writing about, but one sentence just hit me.He’s writing about what he would and wouldn’t want people to say at his funeral. The one sentence that jumped out at me is “He was so devoted to his own tribe that he never even looked to see what was happening on the other side of the street.” That one sentence stopped me in my tracks. Hello Lea, where have you been? He’s talking about what really matters in a church and this is just a tiny sentence that jolted me awake. I”ll explain… thoughts to my church will explain what I mean….
To my church, to those who don’t know me… my name is Lea and I am a long-time member here at TCC. I’m a bit complex- I can be both outgoing and shy. Those who know me, don’t laugh. Yea, it’s a war inside. But when I am determined and passionate about something, I can be a lioness for sure. If you’ve been coming for any length of time and we haven’t met, I apologize! Why? Well, let me explain…I view this as my church, as I hope you do as well. I realized that I’ve been staying on my own side of the street or with my own tribe, as he says. .
Not that long ago, on a Sunday morning, I was greeted by a couple stationed at the greeters table as if it was my first time. We had a good laugh as he said, “you aren’t new here, are you?” I said, no not really…I’ve been here for 21ish years, I think. We bonded over that. But between this one sentence in this book and that experience, I’ve been thinking a lot about it.
As our church has grown and changed, with God bringing in so many new faces, which I’m so thankful for, but it’s gotten easy for me to take a back seat and let the newer ones grow together. It’s easy to stay, as Aron says, devoted to my own tribe and never even look to see what is happening on the other side of the street, or in my case the other side of the church. I can’t tell you the last time I’ve walked over to the West side of the auditorium and greeted someone. This is not what I’ve been taught and encouraged to do. It’s not that I have too, it’s that I/we get to greet others and we get to be a church family together and worship our Savior together. I recently told a friend, “gosh, I don’t know anyone anymore.” Hello Lea…guess why…
Lioness where are you? Lea, get out of your seat and greet oldcomers and newcomers alike. Lea, be the church. Lea, own your church, which I encourage everyone to take ownership of your church. I should know you; we should all know each other. Who cares how long you or I’ve been coming. There’s not start date or expiration date on being the church. We are a church family.
I’m sorry church family that I don’t know or don’t know very well. Dawn, we are going to have that coffee. Jack, Allen and I would love to go to breakfast with you like we’ve talked about. Kaylee, I’ve known you since you were 3 or 4 and we’ve talked about doing coffee together- let’s do it!
May the younger and older mix together and form friendships. We may look old-er, but there’s a young kid inside of us older folks. Years ago, we were taught and encouraged to get up, walk around and greet people. Oh, it wasn’t easy and it still isn’t easy, but when I remember that I get to do this by the grace of God in my life. God has blessed me with this church family. We need each other.
I remember years ago when we first started attending TCC, we were building relationships by spending time together. We had so much fun. I got to know just how crazy Joyce Dewitt and Pat Patrick are and I learned a few things from them… Like how to short sheet a person. I’m sure Joyce or Patty P would love to tell you what it is and how it’s done. It was so much fun.
Then, it happened, our church experienced a tragedy of a family in our church. The wife was killed in a terrible car accident leaving their 2-year-old daughter at the time motherless and injured, and her husband was now a widower. It was a hard time for us, but it so neat being a part of this church family as we grieved together, encourage one another and got to care for this family together. We knew how to play hard together and we knew how to work hard together, the young and old-er. We were being the church.
Fast forward to now… Younger person go after the older persons job or serving opportunity.
Awhile back, I was working on reopening my licensed child care business, but before I could officially open for business, I had to be inspected. I have done child care for many years so I know what’s involved in an inspection. When the inspector came, I found myself showing her stuff before she would even ask about it. She looked at me kind of funny. So, I told her…. “I want your job.” Youngerish people, you are our next generation of older people serving in the church. How exciting. Come after our serving opportunity. This is my church, this is your church. Take it and own it. We are blessed!
Lastly, for those I haven’t met yet or don’t know you very well, I hope to start seeing what’s on the other side of the street for the glory of God.
