Church, Oil and Carrots

I lived in California the year after I graduated from college – and I remember during the first few months that I lived there, going to church on Sunday mornings was the hardest time of the week. (I was working at a group home, and had to go to church with the home…and the church they attended was VERY different from any other body of believer that I’d been a part of). I would go to church and cry every week for the awhile – cause that was the one time a week that I felt disconnected from all that I knew. It was the one time each week where I felt far from home.

That’s how I felt this morning at church. I felt like I couldn’t be farther from the communities I’m a part of in Spring Arbor and at Living Water. And honestly I had this feeling that I’ll never find a community that is really what I’m looking for here (I know…not a very rational thought…kinda jumping to conclusions after only 2 Sundays here).

I think part of my “problem” is that I have been so blessed by the communities that I have been a part of in the past…and that I’ve immediately come from. I loved the church that I was part of in Kolkata. It was so simple, and beautiful, and alive. And I love SAFMC…where I’ve grown and been stretched, and invested in, where I’ve been loved and cared for and supported. And I love Living Water…our shared meals, and our shared passion for Jackson – and the conversations, and questions and the beautiful simplicity of just being together.

God has given me such beauty and depth and breadth in the faith communities that I am a part of, and I am so thankful…but today, it feels like a bit of a double-edged sword. With the standard set so high, how will I ever find a community here?!?!? (I know, I know…not rational…but how I feel…so I’m just saying it).

On a much different note – here are some random thoughts/updates…
Our door has been sticking. You had to slam it to close it and the latch would stick open…it was a bit of a mess. Last night I almost bough WD-40. it wasn’t too expensive…about $1.25 for a small can. I was just about to buy it when I had the revelation that oil is oil…and I have a bunch of sunflower oil…and maybe that would work to grease my door. So today, I got out my sunflower oil…greased the latch, and now the latch is working perfectly…it just floats closed! I loved it!

And, another random note…carrots here are red – and they taste SO good. They have much more flavor than the carrots in the states…if you ever come across a red carrot, you should eat it J you won’t be sorry!