Man! What a rough night!
For those of you who know me, you know I'm a night owl and going to bed at 2:00am and up at 10:00am is the norm, not a good one I might add.
But last night I went down at 10:00pm and was up at 6:00am with what seemed like hourly awakenings.
I wish I could say it was because of excitement but honestly I'm think it's more out of a new realization. I'm starting over.
I meet yesterday with 20 plus other men and women my age who are exploring God's call for church planting. I introduced myself and gave my story. Afterwards I sat there thinking and listening to see if anyone else had a story was like mine.
It didn't appear so.
It was only afterwards that one of the men there (one of 3 over the age of 50) came up to me and said, "It's a sad thing that it's the church that chews people up and spits them out."
He said it like it was the norm.
That's the sad thing.
I think last night is when it really hit me. Starting over.
As a 18 year old working at Taco Bell, renting my first apartment and buying my own car...there was a feeling of excitement and new adventure.
Somehow, that same excitement is snuffed out as the overwhelming feeling is brought to realization that this time I'm starting over with a wife and two young ones.
The clock has begun.
Thirty days to move locations, find a job, find a church, find a place to live.
I'm ready for the excitement and adventure feeling to hit me.
I hope it comes soon.
Sleepless nights are not my thing.
excited for you. when i first went into ministry it ws the most exciting yet terrifying timme, in a really good way of course. let me know if you need anything over the next 30...
ReplyDeleteI know the chewed up and spit out feeling. God is good though and full of new challenges.
ReplyDeleteI remember being in staff meetings when I worked at a church and talking about issues with people in the church and the unspoken thought was we wished they would just leave the church it would be easier. Unfortunately its the easy way out to just nudge people on their way--when in reality it is usually the ripest of ministry opportunities.
ReplyDeleteYou are definitly be in our prayers! Please keep us bloggers posted on your next exciting days of your life! Can't wait to hear.
ReplyDeleteI know I don't have kids and a spouse, but I actually understand the whole starting over thing because I'm back in school. It is scary what life will be like after college because so many decisions are in the air. I know it's been a tough few years, but as I heard from your lovely wife the other day, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm so glad that this door has finally opened, and God is about to do some amazing things in your life. I look forward to reading more about it!
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