I feel like all I ever do here is post life updates. These days, most of my stories and thoughts land over on the Greenville site or in my newsletter. If you've not subscribed to the newsletter, now's the time. Friday is our last "haunted" issue. Next month's first issue is titled, "I'm Thankful For My Divorce." I'm talking in depth about JP's anxiety and how we've coped over the years.
We're in a difficult season with JP right now. He's been struggling with panic attacks again. The first one took place in his bedroom in the middle of the night. Now he has PTSD and hasn't been able to sleep in his room. He's on the living room couch. Not only can he not sleep in his bed, but he can't sleep alone. For the first couple of weeks, mom, Laurie and I took turns sleeping on the couch with him. Thankfully, we have a sectional, so there's plenty of room. I've never been able to sleep on the couch. I still don't sleep very sound, or very long, but I am getting used to it. Not that, that's a good thing. We're not taking turns anymore because I don't think it's fair for Laurie and Faye to have to give up their beds. Hopefully this will end soon.
Preston's travel ball season has wrapped up. He had his final tournament in Pigeon Forge last weekend. While we're on the subject of baseball…
This potentially could sound ugly. I pray that it's not taken that way. That is not my heart, but I do feel led to say this and have for quite some time. It is entirely possible to play travel sports AND have Jesus at the center of your life. 'Tis the season for all the Facebook memes to talk about parents "raising kids to chase balls rather than chasing Jesus."
I try really hard not to let those comments get under my skin, but I'm the aunt of someone who loves to play ball. Preston shouldn't have to question his love for God because he loves the game of baseball. Number one, if you are convicted of playing sports on Sundays, you shouldn't play sports on Sundays. But we should not call out and/or condemn families who don't share those same convictions.
This has been on my heart for a very long time. I'm always hesitant to share anything that could be controversial. However, this is my blog and these are my feelings. I'm simply sharing them. I have spent a ton of time reading, researching, and praying about how I feel. I don't want to be "wrong." The more I've prayed, the more I've searched, the more I've read, the more confident I am in my beliefs.
One of the verses that always seems to come up is in Hebrews chapter 10:25. "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." Context is so important. This was written during a time when followers of Christ were under great persecution. Paul is pleading with the Jewish people not to turn away from Jesus. He's encouraging them to continue meeting together and to continue encouraging one another. This was not meant to be used as a weapon against those who aren't sitting in a building on a pew at 10:00 am Sunday morning. In fact, I've not been able to find a verse saying anything remotely close to that.
I'm also not saying corporate worship isn't important. Our whole family belongs to a church. We love the people and meeting together and fellowshipping together brings us great joy!
This rant is the result of years of comments and digs, both publicly and privately. I'm just tired of it. I also need to say that I'm only speaking for myself. Not my family. These are my feelings.
It's also 100% okay if you don't agree with me. That's the beauty of life. We don't all have to agree on everything. I've felt led to share this for a long time but didn't want to, so I ignored it. I don't know why it's flowing out now. If nothing else, maybe it can serve as a reminder that we don't know what's taking place in someone's heart. Unless you follow someone around 24/7, you don't have a front row seat to their daily activities. It's called a "personal" relationship with Jesus because it's just that. Personal. It's wrong to assume that because someone plays baseball (or any other sport or activity) on a Sunday, they aren't faithful to God. All you can assume is that their walk and journey looks a bit different than yours.
Facebook memes and passive comments in the church hall definitely don't grow the Kingdom or reach anyone. So the next time you feel the urge to post, maybe take a step back and reevaluate your motives.
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