My life is filled with words. Truly. You should see the lengths of the novel-emails I send and receive on a near daily basis...and we won't even talk about my text conversations. This Mac is a curse and a blessing (ask my friends) because on it, I can "text" longer and faster than ever before. This morning I sent one out that was 1,000 words. That's the length of an essay, you guys. Anyway, after my 2-part post on The Church, a friend texted and asked if he could send me an email with "some thoughts that were too long to text." So I sent my address his way and went to bed. This morning, his email was there in my junk folder, and I was so excited to read it. When someone asks you if they can send you an email that's "too long to text," you just know it's going to be good. You guys. I need to introduce you to Mason. He's a writer (though he doesn't know it, and he'd never tell you even if he did) because anyone who WRITES LIKE THIS in an EMAIL is most certainly a writer. There is just no other explanation. His words are below, and below that is our conversation from this morning in which I say some things that seem important for all of us to hear. Jordan, Thanks, Mason, for your words.
I have some thoughts on the whole idea of "famous Christians" and how many of us don't exercise our gifts for fear of getting big egos or beginning to desire The Things Of This World. If you'd like to read them, there's a "read more" link after my sign-off.
0 Comments
So I finished final eight of eleven this afternoon and then went straight home to pack a bag and head to the Starnes'. It's funny--I come here as often as I possibly can, to this home with nine children under the age of fifteen. I come here to be a part of a family--I'm the 10th kid, by now. But I think I come for other reasons, too. I think I come because my soul feels connected here, like there's a part of me that deeply desires a family of this size, a house-life of this sort. There are many places I could go to "get away" from the hustle and bustle and exhaustion and chaos of nursing school. I choose to come stay with a tribe of eleven, where a two-year old asks me to read her "Miss Frizzle" for the thousandth time and an eight year old nestles close on the couch trying to sound out the big words in one chapter for an entire hour. I get studying done during the day when they're upstairs doing school, and the oldest brings me lunch and snacks. We gather around a table set for 12 for breakfast and dinner, and everyone helps clean the kitchen no less than 8397 times a day. The wash machine and dryer are always turning. I just woke up from a 23-minute nap. Upon awakening, I had no idea where I was or how I got here or what day it is or why it was so dark outside. I'm the kind of girl who falls asleep in 4 minutes and has a night's worth of dreams in the next 20. The couches here are so comfortable. And so old. Which is most definitely why they are so comfortable. I don't even bother trying to read upon them, anymore. It's futile. Before falling asleep, though, an email came in from my Email Poet Friend. I read it a few times and got all teary eyed and the Voice Inside said: "time to write that post." It's a piece I've been churning and contemplating for quite some time, now. For years, really. Email Poet Friend said, "hope your exams are done and you are in the woods somewhere." Let me say three things. First, my exams are not done. I have three left. I am being tortured. Second, I will soon be in the woods somewhere, as I can think of ZERO place I'd rather go than Straight to the Woods once finals are finished. In the woods, around campfire, is where I rest. The air is fresh and the roads aren't paved. Yes, I will head straight there. Third, one of the greatest gifts in all of life is having People "in my court" who know and get me so very well. To be Known is the deepest desire of all of our hearts, yeah? The Father knows us. And that should be enough. But it sure is nice to have people-with-skin-on Knowing Us, too. This Email Poet Friend is someone I've never even hugged in real life. Yet with a single line he has proven that he Gets Me. In the woods somewhere. After a grueling round of finals. That is me. Thank you, Poet Friend, for proving that you Care by showing that you Understand. I learn so much from you. The Poet went on to explain that on July 27, I sent him a "novel" (aka a very, very long email) mentioning inter alia that my church in Oregon split in half before I moved to Texas. "Those words and thoughts stayed with me," he said. "A very bad poem came out of my brain, I wrote it, chucked it. The other day I woke up at 4am and this, with a few changes here & there, came tumbling/spewing out. I warn you: this might be a total piece of crap. You won't hurt my feelings if you delete it without comment. The working title is: Our Church Has One Foundation." Well, good Poet. Let me tell you. Your poem is not only not a piece of crap; it is a masterpiece. And I'll be damned if I don't listen to that Voice saying "now's the time to write that post." So, thanks. I wouldn't have Listened if you (a self-proclaimed atheist) wouldn't have sent this along. Friends, I give you this poem very tenderly--like a mother might hand a kitten to her toddler child and say in a sweet voice "gentle now; hold the baby kitty softly; tuck its paws in tight; make it feel safe..." I will publish Part 2 of this post tomorrow--the part where I say words on this poem and all I've been contemplating for so long. For now, mull this over for the night. There is much Truth in these lines, and I wonder if we'll all recognize a bit of ourselves in its depths. We are the hands and feet of Christ. & the good poet |
hey, i'm jordan.wife to one, mama to four, bible-believing christian. Archives
November 2022
Categories
All
|