regrouping_and_moving_onhere is what i know must be important in our lives right now:
1) continuing to work on our marriage: protecting and cultivating our covenant is what i wrote in my journal. amy and i have had two "normal" months of marriage, if that. we had a roommate for a year, have hosted friends and family in the meantime, and are currently living with generous friends until moving in to our next place. having some space for the two of us, though it feels selfish, is a huge priority.
2) getting established in our careers: this also feels selfish, but this is a big year for us vocationally. i am getting started with sojourn and amy is intensely preparing this next year to enter the work force. getting our ministry established and amy through her final year of school well are priorities.
3) fund raising. establishing a strong base of support so that i can focus on ministry full-time is a priority.
losing this house has been a lot of things. it seems (too) neat and tidy to call it God saving us from a project too big (although that may be part of it). while we many not know what to "call" this chapter in our story, it does feel a lot like an exercise in priorities...in deciding what we will say yes and no to. unfortunately, a house remodel/rehab does not fit in to the top three, and in fact would probably have undermined those priorities. (ps. there are other priorities that go in and around and above the three listed, like growing in love for God and others). saying yes and no to things is so hard for me, i like maybes and perhapses better. but a big part of my character transformation is learning how to do this commitment thing, this yes and no thing, better.
6 comments:
I know this sounds "sappy" but I feel like crying....sadness and joy all at once....I am proud and humbled by your thoughts....love you both so much, mom
I'm moved by your profundity, and feel your pain that you're not just pontificating, but struggling with the real things of life. Keep going in the right direction. I know (at least)one thing for sure, this commitment to priorities is a fine art that gets better with practice. I'm sad for your loss, but inspired to see how you're moving through it.
i know our situations are different...but i totally feel your picture. well "said". i get it. love you.
I feel like I'm in the same boat as you in many ways - we're living in someone else's house now, struggling with fundraising during a session, and trying to figure out what it mens to be a family and not just the two of us.
One thing I'd challenge you on - what is a "normal" month of marriage, or life? I think that choosing to lifestyle you have - living as a minister of the gospel, practicing kingdom values - probably means you'll never have a normal month by dominant culture's standards. How can we work on our relationships with a definition of "normal" that includes being frequently displaced, or hospitable, or in transition?
Love you bro,
Willie
good point, willie. amy and i talk about that a lot. i don't think that we really are ever going to have many "normal" periods.
Ah and in come the Krischkes with comments--didn't know Willie had commented til I came to comment myself and warn/encourage you a bit on your #2. I've really enjoyed reading your reflections on fund development. In fact a few weeks ago I was feeling rather down about life and looked forward to reading your blog as you tend to have a pretty positive outlook and some good thoughts on FD. But be careful about wanting to get FD done so you can focus on ministry full-time. FD is ministry. Just like on campus you are calling people to be part of something bigger than themselves, to take risks for the sake of the kingdom and for the sake of seeing what God might do in their lives, to seriously seek God and ask Him what he wants for them. Same work, different age group, all ministry.
As an aside: being 2.5 years out from our 1st crazy year of marriage--I'd say that crazy made it better. Keep living large.
Much love to you both!
Megan
Peace
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