Sure someone may think our family would be an asset to their church, but what if they don't like us after they get to know us? What if they don't accept us as we are? It's hard for me to trust that a church could actually do that.
I try to be kind and I try to smile to let people know I care. But I'm shy. Our whole family tends to be on the shy side. Sometimes people think that shy people are stuck up or think they are better than other people. Sometimes people think that shy people are selfish and think too much about themselves and are sinning by being shy. :( What if people think these things about us?
It seems like some people think, "why not just start putting others first and your shyness will melt away?" If ONLY it were that easy.
Tomorrow we are going to attend a service at the church the vbs was at, and the kids are going to sing some songs they learned there. We are going to try and stay for the picnic afterwards. *biting nails* I pray it goes okay.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
We'd be an asset? Our family?!
We went to a family VBS this week at a Lutheran church. We visited the church this past Sunday, and the outreach director there invited our family to VBS. We figured it was a sign, in a manner of speaking. Why? Because . . .
1) . . . it was a *family* VBS -- we are really into doing things together as a family. We don't care for age segregated church activities very much. We love to do things together and feel that it makes our family closer, and we believe that is important.
2) . . . the vbs started the very next day after the first time visited that church -- we just thought the timing was perfect.
3) . . . it took place at a time when our family was able to attend.
4) . . . the man who invited us was so kind to us and even used to be *Baptist*! LOL I think we felt a bit of kinship with him because of that.
I know you are probably thinking, what kind of signs are these. . . no lightening, no thunder. It all somehow impressed us, though, and we went, and we really enjoyed it.
A funny thing is we left a (reformed Baptist) church earlier this year where we -- and I don't want to blame the church, but am just stating a fact about ourselves -- didn't feel very welcome. And the people at VBS were so kind to us, and we felt so welcome, and a lady there told us on Friday, the last night of the VBS, that she hoped that we would continue coming to their church as our family would be such an asset to the church. What a stark contrast from one church to the other.
1) . . . it was a *family* VBS -- we are really into doing things together as a family. We don't care for age segregated church activities very much. We love to do things together and feel that it makes our family closer, and we believe that is important.
2) . . . the vbs started the very next day after the first time visited that church -- we just thought the timing was perfect.
3) . . . it took place at a time when our family was able to attend.
4) . . . the man who invited us was so kind to us and even used to be *Baptist*! LOL I think we felt a bit of kinship with him because of that.
I know you are probably thinking, what kind of signs are these. . . no lightening, no thunder. It all somehow impressed us, though, and we went, and we really enjoyed it.
A funny thing is we left a (reformed Baptist) church earlier this year where we -- and I don't want to blame the church, but am just stating a fact about ourselves -- didn't feel very welcome. And the people at VBS were so kind to us, and we felt so welcome, and a lady there told us on Friday, the last night of the VBS, that she hoped that we would continue coming to their church as our family would be such an asset to the church. What a stark contrast from one church to the other.
Friday, August 3, 2007
A few things that put me on the peculiar side
I remember when I was a young girl, and I would tilt my head forward so that my long hair would drape down on the sides and hide my face. I was hidden, and it brought relief and comfort being in my little safe space.
I am an introvert, and I prefer to be unobstrusive. I dislike drawing attention to myself. I figure why should anyone pay attention to me anyway. I'm just me, little ol' me. I like to blend in and be a wallflower. Mingling is draining. Talking with other people in groups zaps my energy. I'd rather be alone or with people I know are safe and won't judge me or assume the worst about me and my words when I accidentally say something tactless.
Yet what am I? I feel like I am destined to walk around with a "Take a look at me, I'm peculiar," sign on me. It drives me nuts. When all I want to do is blend in.
Here is a little about me tends to put me (at least sometimes) on the peculiar side:
I wear dresses or skirts all the time. I have long hair past my bottom. I don't wear make up. I am vegan. I try not to swear. My husband and I have four children we bring everywhere with us as much as possible, including the church service. We are Christians who don't spank. We don't vaccinate. We babywear. We believe in co-sleeping. We believe in extended breadtfeeding, and I still nurse our son who is 2 years and 10 months old. We use our TV to watch videos and DVD's, but not to watch TV. We are not patriarchal. We are conservative theologically, and we are "Reformed," and were Reformed Baptists, but are growing more Lutheran as the days go by.
So that's a little about me. What do you think?
I am an introvert, and I prefer to be unobstrusive. I dislike drawing attention to myself. I figure why should anyone pay attention to me anyway. I'm just me, little ol' me. I like to blend in and be a wallflower. Mingling is draining. Talking with other people in groups zaps my energy. I'd rather be alone or with people I know are safe and won't judge me or assume the worst about me and my words when I accidentally say something tactless.
Yet what am I? I feel like I am destined to walk around with a "Take a look at me, I'm peculiar," sign on me. It drives me nuts. When all I want to do is blend in.
Here is a little about me tends to put me (at least sometimes) on the peculiar side:
I wear dresses or skirts all the time. I have long hair past my bottom. I don't wear make up. I am vegan. I try not to swear. My husband and I have four children we bring everywhere with us as much as possible, including the church service. We are Christians who don't spank. We don't vaccinate. We babywear. We believe in co-sleeping. We believe in extended breadtfeeding, and I still nurse our son who is 2 years and 10 months old. We use our TV to watch videos and DVD's, but not to watch TV. We are not patriarchal. We are conservative theologically, and we are "Reformed," and were Reformed Baptists, but are growing more Lutheran as the days go by.
So that's a little about me. What do you think?
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