A Sign I Can Stand Under

I was telling the Carolina Gals this weekend that I've had a rant inside this heart of mine, but this very public place might not be where I need to vent.

You see, I have a pet-peeve that can get my blood boiling in about 2 seconds: Pithy church signs.

Now, I don't mind if that church sign has the catchy title of the Pastors sermon or if there is a scripture verse that is short and sweet. I don't even mind short sayings that show the length and breadth and width of God's love for us, as long as that sign doesn't smack of self-righteous elitism that isn't at all God-breathed.

Why does this make me uncomfortable?

There was a time almost 20 years ago that I was wouldn't have entered the door of a church that had a self-righteous church sign out on the street.

That may sound harsh, but its true.

Down the road from our house there is a church that always seems to have caustic sayings on their church sign. The one that really burned me up was this recent saying:  If the church were perfect, YOU couldn't belong.

Oh that Kellie, you may be saying, she's so sensitive.

The truth is, I am a Christian, and I believe words are important.

I'd feel better if that sign read: If the church were perfect:... none of us would be here.... or, we wouldn't need God or... we wouldn't need this sign.

Honestly, anything would have been better than this elitist statement.

God isn't an elitist.

God's love is for everyone.

I wasn't going to write this post. But yesterday, we loaded up in the mini-van and headed for a day trip to Alamance, NC to check out a couple of battle fields and to do some antique shopping.

We were driving on a country road when all of a sudden there was a beautiful church on a hill, surrounded by the fall colors of the changing trees, with a sign on the street that read:

God can fix

your torn up self.

I don't mind telling you I got a little weepy.

I've lived this truth.

This is a sign that everyone can read and identify with. It's simple and its strong.

Best of all, it's the Truth. It's truth in which every single person on this planet can relate. We all have troubles, we all are "torn up"--some through our own doing; some, the doings done to us.

Its a truth that says: we know you are brokenhearted, we know you aren't perfect, we know you've done things that aren't good, we know you've been burned by people you love, we know your confusion, we know your hurt, we know your shame, we know you desire to be loved. We know, cuz we've been there...but most importantly God knows. 


So come on in, and let Him tend to your torn up self.

That's a sign I can stand under.

Garden of Friends

I have spent a large part of today processing last night.

During the months of June, July and August our church holds a once a month Salad Supper for the Women's Ministry.  This is a fun night to get together with other ladies, have a bite to eat, and listen to another woman share about the work that God has done in her life.

This was something I had participated in while attending our church in Fort Worth, Texas. 

When we moved and started attending the church here in North Carolina I knew I wanted to continue the tradition. This is the fourth summer of Salad Suppers at our little round church.

In January I began to pray about who God would have me invite to speak at the Salad Suppers this year. 

It wasn't long after I met TheCarPoolQueen that I began to get a feeling that I needed to ask her to come speak. 

I was nervous about asking her, We had only just met, and although I had read her blog and knew she had a story to share, I didn't know any of the details. But in March, I asked if she'd come tell us her story.

She graciously accepted.

I felt confidant that this was the right thing, but I didn't realize that I was about to witness an answer to prayer in a way that only God can orchestrate. 

Susan did speak last night. She talked about her faith in God in a lesson she entitled: Truth Taught Through Triplet Trials.

I can only say that I wish you had been there as she encouraged us to trust God when it seems that all is lost. To obey Him not only in our actions, but also in our heart. To remember that the desert places in life are not just about us, but about others who might walk the same road in the days to come.  She challenged us to cling to God while in the desert so our experience can someday be used as an encouragement, a deep glass of water to those walking thirsty in a desert of their own.

She didn't sugar coat the things God has used in her life that are hard, but she glorified God in the hard things.

It was just a very good night; in the right place, at the right time, with the right people, and I feel incredibly blessed to have been a part of it.

Yesterday I read  the 13 verse of chapter eight in the Song of Solomon, and as I thought of the ladies in attendance last night, and as I shared Susan's story with The Mister last night, and again with a friend today, the verse came back to my mind: 

Your companions are fortunate to hear your voice. 

Song of Solmon 8:13 (NLT)

Indeed, we truly are.