Monday, December 25, 2017

Awkward / Family

Rob Bell, years ago,
At a conference to pastors,
Spoke of how, sometimes,
When he’s brought the Word,
And sits, raw and drained,
A person comes bounding up
And engages about

Sports
Or something equally
Meaningless. As a pastor, how
Disappointing and
Discombobulating.

I watched this play out
During our service this morning.
An intense time during Sunday school.
Rousing, joyful singing as a group.
A beautiful Communion meditation.
A glorious time in the Word.
Doxology.
Singing what we had just prayed.
And then, on the high point of being
Sent out . . .

A pause.
An armful of gratitude, delivered.
Words from the saints
To bless and encourage.

Of course, one must receive this
With gratitude,
And it was, indeed.

But I thought of Rob Bell
In that moment—when you want
The hearer to get what you’ve shared
And live it and go forward . . .

And they are thinking of something else.
It’s awkward.


It’s family.

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