I told you a few weeks ago that my three oldest children are attending public school for the first time this Fall.
How’s it going, you ask?
Well, my answer can be best told through the story-telling device of relaying a couple of conversations.
Conversation #1:
Boy: Today at school a kid came up to me and said, “Your name is f***!”
Me: Oh my gosh. What did you say back??
Boy: I said, “Okay! Your name’s Potato!” then I walked away. Hahahahahaha!
Conversation #2:
Boy: I hate school. It’s too long. It’s every day. Why are there five days in the school week and only 2 in the weekend. Whoever made that up is boring. School is boring. Everything is so BORING.
Me: Baby, this is your chance to do a very grown-up thing and use your faith. Do you know how to do that?
Boy: No.
Me: Well, in the middle of the hard thing that school is, does God have good or bad for you?
Boy: He has good for me.
Me: That’s right. So what truth do you put your faith in when school is long and boring?
Boy: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Me: Sigh…..
Public middle school makes no sense to any of us, and can be summed up in these three words: Boring Potato Faith. It’s a wilderness of school lockers, bullies, clarinet practice, lunch tables, lost assignments, and math that doesn’t make sense. My babies are this lizard out there all alone trying to avoid some seriously scary snakes:
I really need see that lizard make it to a safe place someday. Because here in this world full of Boring Potato Faith seasons, we all feel like that lizard from time to time. Thankfully, Jesus goes with us into the wilderness. He’s no stranger to the wilderness, after all. Jesus basically went to public school with a big bully the bible calls the devil.
Remember that time the devil tried to tell him that everything about Him was terribly boring and pointless? In Matthew 4, the devil suggested Jesus just dump this whole God With Us thing He was offering humanity, and do something exciting. Hey Jesus, you should give up fasting and turn a rock into bread. That would be more fun, and it would end the pain in your belly. Or maybe, Jesus, you’d like to take this fatal jump and let the angels catch you. You’ll probably be a YouTube star after the epic display of awesomeness! Listen Jesus, forget the whole sacrificial lamb thing. I can get everyone to worship you right now. No nasty cross for you, your mom and friends won’t have to watch you suffer. Easy Peasy. Everybody wins.
Jesus knew better.
We know better, too, if we’re really honest with ourselves. When it seems like our greatest pain could be solved by quitting the hard job, giving up on the marriage, drinking a few glasses of wine, buying that new car, or simply pushing all the anger down deep within us, we need to remember what we risk by forgetting that God is a good Father, even in the hardest things.
We risk the wholeness of our deep connection to God With Us, the holy comfort of His Spirit in our lives, and our ability to hear Father God’s voice calling us His beloved children.
Perhaps this is a good moment to speak a prayer ever the wilderness of our Boring Potato Faith?
Lord, you are good right here, where we stand in desolate places. You are good in the middle of our hardest things, that seem unfair and unjust. We trust you to make a way for us in the wilderness. Give us the patience and faith to wait with open hands for you to send help and provision. We love you, Jesus. Thank you for facing the wilderness to be our Savior.
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As I wait for God’s help to come, there are a few things helping me sit quietly. Some I have mentioned before, but they are still blessing me so deeply, they are worth mentioning again.
1. Tricorn black paint by Sherwin Williams.
I know, matte black walls seem sad, but these make me so happy. I painted them this weekend, and I’m still gaga with love. There’s a little video of my downstairs that I made for on Instagram, if you’d like the tour.
2. Our SheLeads Austin local venue.
I’ve been given the chance to help organize a local simulcast of this Missio Alliance summit on women leading int he church, and my hope and prayer is that it helps shape the voice of many women in their local church contexts. God created women to meet a need in the world, and I am incredibly encouraged by the way He is using men and women together to accomplish His will in the world today. If you’d like to join us on October 29, click here to register.
3. Love, Henri: Letters on the Spiritual Life
This book continues to open new places in my heart for listening to God in the lives of the people around me. It has challenged me to be quieter in God’s presence, and to really listen for Him in my conversations with other people. Such a deep blessing to hear the deep heart of this faithful man of God.
4. The Mountian Between Us by Charles Martin
Several people told me I should read this book. Honestly, it’s not the usual kind of book I pick up, but I loved it. And now I’m ready to see the movie when it opens next week….
Ah, Carrie. Like you, it’s Jesus and painting my walls (SW Loggia), and an abiding bright side perspective, with reat hope that this hart path of public school newness will develop good/great/beautiful things in me and my baby girls. The day length, the daily excruciating pain of releasing my babies onto buses (?!?!?!). I cry on good days, and am numb on the hardest ones. They come home tired and not a little dented. But – – – – we’re involved in the community and shining lights in ways that I never would have dreamed possible, and are in the thick of the fight to bring hope to littles that are without.