I've been reading of how we are beginning a new decade. It starts today. As I ruminated on that, I began to think of the life changes of the last decade in my life's history.
By this date in 2001, I had been a mother for 7 months. I was working for a company who had great respect for my knowledge and capacity, and who loved and cared for my family extravagantly! I was in my second DISCIPLE 1 class making friends who continue to form and shape my life. Sarah was terminally dubbed "The Church Baby" by Bill and Melinda. Brook was in the class, an answer to a prayer from more than 2 years prior, and God was stirring me up fiercely again. It had been during my first run through DISCIPLE that I had heard God calling my name again. (The first time was in the holy roller time in high school. Multiple doors had opened for me, but I did not have the "in flesh" confirmation from those around me, and so I turned another direction. The departure became more and more rapid as my rejection of the call increased...). The first and second times I heard that noise, I paid no attention. I didn't share it with anyone, except the information department at ATS--they'd have to pay some attention to me, right, since I had my undergrad from there. I just hoped they didn't have any records on me other than my respectable transcript...
The third time was the charm, as some might call it. Others might call it something entirely different! The third time, I dared to share the noise with my pastor and friend. Mebane was no help! Entirely sarcastic! She, perhaps, had heard or seen something in me, including the Holy Spirit working in my life. She had seen my growing, even impetuous at times service in the church, sometimes being in places for reasons I did not know. She knew some of my bad and ugly and loved me still. She listened to my stirrings and then let me know something previously unknown to me: there was a UM seminary right up the road, in fact 16 miles door to door from my Plain City home. Hmm...but I really don't know much about this formal God-learning stuff. I would be way behind the curve of others there. My other spiritual guide, Denise, had just gotten involved with a Youth Ministry Institute up there, so she had connections. She could make a phone call, or give me the connective information. Enter Colleen, who would be the first bride I would serve-assist after graduation from seminary some nearly 4 years later...
I was in a field where I was regionally respected, even as a near "expert" to some. I was well rewarded for my labors, as I said, extravagantly above. All was well with my world, especially in terms of markers of success. As I look at the trajectory of the company I was with, I have no doubt I'd have continued to grow and excel had I stayed with them. And they would have continued to love me extravagantly. They did continue to love me extravagantly as I began the next phase of my life journey...
Something was stirring deep inside of me. Someone was stirring. Restless heart. Restless soul. Restlessness. Why? What? Absurd to leave where I was, especially to chase something for which I was so ill equipped! I would never catch up on the knowledge curve! Ever! I wasn't sleeping well. I was made uncomfortable by the Word I was allowing to seep into me. I began to talk about it with some who were very close to me. I was falling deeper and deeper in love with my daughter, even as I was falling deeper and deeper in love with God. Why would I mess with things as they were pretty darn good....
I talked to Brook. I made an appointment to see Colleen. My feet never touched the ground. I met Lisa and Judy, one with whom I'd had contact while some ugly church stuff was happening at Jerome. I met Molly, Peg, and more. I called Brook as I left. We needed to talk. We met at the microbrewery on 23, appropriate for us. I told him what I was feeling, and he supported me, and we made plans for me to enroll as an occasional student. I was about to jump into some water that was legions over my head...but I was diving in...
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