Saturday, August 26, 2006

Processing

I know I don't have to update everyone, and you guys have been so sweet to remind me of that. :) But, right now, it's more about processing things and for me, writing is a great tool for the task. The fact that I'm (potentially) sharing the processing with the entire world puts a bit of a twist on it. But, I'm inclined to believe that one of the reasons our culture has (overall) failed so miserably at functioning as the body of Christ in the Kingdom of God is that we refuse to humble ourselves and become transparent with one another. Because of that, we cripple our ability to function as a body and truly minister to one another. We are sinful, and yet God loves us, adores us, seeks us, and chases after us. But, we can't get past our own pride and share our struggles with one another. We think we are failures, or not worthy if we struggle with sin or even difficulties of the sort I'm experiencing now. This is a lie. We convince ourselves that the body of Christ will look down on us, shun us, and ultimately judge us. I'm pretty convinced now that the folks who are the most unwilling to share for fear of condemnation are themselves the most judgmental of the lot. They fear that others will treat them with the same sort of judgment that lies in their own hearts. This, is what "remove the blog from your own eye"
means. (at least to me) On the other hand, those who are the most outwardly judgmental are the ones who feel the most shamed by their own sin. They serve a God that only loves and accepts them when they are "good". How sad for them.

I say all that to say, I will keep processing here. Not for any other reason than it helps me and it may help others. And I feel the spirit leading me to process it this way. I'm not actually that crazy about doing it. It's so much easier when I was processing the journey as it looks when it's going well. We have so much to learn from one another and so much of God's love, grace, and commitment to us as His children to share. We (I) have got to stop running and hiding from the process and allow God to work in and through us as a body.

sermon over. this wasn't what i sat down to write...it just came out.

love,
grace

p.s. i just did a spell check on this and i'd misspelled one of the spelling words i'd given my students last week! :)
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12 comments:

Carole Turner said...

Amen Grace. I sometimes think I am putting too much out there but then I realize how important it is to be real.I think it's closer to humility then pride,and He can work on us when we stay humble and open. He also uses our struggles to help others. You are a blessing to many.

PS I tagged you..Don't shoot me :-)

Jay said...

"Remove the blog from your own eye?" What verse is that, Grace? Did they have blogs back then? LOL. You made my day with that one. I wish there was something I could do that would put a smile on your face. I've been asking the question on my blog on whether or not I am being to open with my probelm. Thanks for helping me realize that I'm not.

God bless,
Jay

grace said...

LOL LOL!!! OH my goodness...what a great typo....you DID make me laugh out loud! Between that and the two of us using "interior" for "inheritor"...how can I not find things to smile about. :)

Thanks Jay!

Oh....and FeatherIron...GRRR!!! I'd read your tag of me this morning... ;) I'll probably get to that on Monday!

grace

Anonymous said...

I'm still reading too, Grace. Reading and praying. And yeah... I thought "remove the blog from your own eye" was a classic slip. LOVED it! :-)

believingthomas said...

You've been on my mind. I couldn't agree more with what you wrote here. In Brian McLaren's newest book there is point where he points out how Jesus used those judgemental people's hearts against them. I'll have to look that up.

Keith Brenton's blog is called "Blog in my own eye"

Jeffinoh said...

Thanks for the updates on your process, Grace, since we know you can't fill us all in individually. I agree with others, though, that you shouldn't feel a need to blog for our sakes. You and tDub and your kids are the ones who matter now. I'm praying for all of you.

And... Einy, why did you change your name?! Einar was an old family name used by my Norwegian relatives for several generations. :-) I don't think I've ever seen it in print anywhere else!

Anonymous said...

Just to let you know... I like the new changes on your blog!!! I love chocolate milkshakes! ;-)

You rock, Grace!

Anonymous said...

I am glad that we can offer you some support Grace. Hang in there!

Robert

Anonymous said...

Hey WG,
Thanks for your insight into life and the way folks see things. Today I will not go there because I feel sorry for them for that. For you, thanks for encouraging me in every way and know you are loved. I will not further intrude except to say I am here if you need me. Love, The Ancient One: GpSancho

Christine Bakke said...

Still thinking of you, Grace...hugs to you.

Anonymous said...

Grace:

I've been following your blog for more than a year and have been amazed at the willful Grace you show. When I read it again after being away for a few weeks, your latest posts left me sitting at my computer in tears. How painful these days must be! Know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

I must admit, I can no longer think of you as just willful Grace .....from now on, for me at least, you will be Remarkable Grace! Blessings and peace on your journey.

Anonymous said...

Hi Grace. I like the comment about thinking of you now as "Remarkable Grace". I have been familiar with your situation for quite a while but have only popped in occasionally to read what you have to say. I don't have a lot of extra time for extracurricular reading, but from what I've seen you have a great heart and I'm very sad over what's happening to you, especially after all of the work you put into making things work. I think it's wonderful that you have this blog as an outlet to get some of your more public feelings out to some people who would never otherwise have been blessed by reading them and seeing what it might be like to truly take God at his word and face a life and a situation that most of the world would find remarkably unworthy. And now with these changes it will be interesting to see what God will reveal to you (and, by extension, us). There's always a storm before the rainbow. (haha, is this a bad time to use rainbow analogies?)

I wonder what happened to Ben at scatteredwords. Did he take the same route as Tdub? I haven't visited either of your blogs in ages, and now his has vanished!

In closing, bless you, and God keep you. I hope you keep blogging. I'm sure there will be plenty of fodder for it. ;)