Me & the Family

Me & the Family

Monday, March 28, 2011

Peasant or Princess?

When the world doesn't fit so good.


I have been doing my study on Crazy Love, which has been very challenging.  The last chapter that we worked on was lukewarm.  I once wrote a blog about being lukewarm.  Maybe I will post it again.


I had to challenge myself this past week and figure out what area, out of the 18 listed, is the one that I need to work on the most.  I am sure that after taking care of one step the obvious choice is to work on the next step...so that you no longer can be described as lukewarm.  I have a looooonnnng way to go, but over the weekend I came to a conclusion of my biggest fault.


And I have no idea how to fix this issue.


You see, I live in an awesome neighborhood with people that I love dearly.  These women have been there through some seriously rough times. They pray for me and my family.  They are good women.  


They are all very different from me.


This weekend we all went to St. Augustine.  I would have been happy dressing up as an old-timey person and chasing chickens and these ladies wanted fine dining.  From the experience I just realized that I am more of the peasant and they are the princesses.  It does not mean that I do not love them, I'm just different.


As my first real outing with no drinking (32 days and counting now) I looked at my evening a lot differently than I normally would.  I had a blast as we are all quite entertaining to be around.  Just as sisters...you will find us throwing stuff at each other, pulling hair and punching arms.  What I came to realize though that besides completely missing my husband...


I just found that I spent the weekend trying to be worldly...


And I missed God.


I know that it is not a bad thing to enjoy good things, but I was left feeling guilty and misplaced.  It was a weird feeling to feel, especially being with women that I care about a lot.


What does that mean for me?
What does that mean for my friendships?


As I spent the weekend and they spoke about the next girls trip and the next couples trip and the hotels and restaurants...I just have to ask  why am I going?  Am I going to please my friends and the world?  Am I going because it's expected of me?  Am I going because if I don't I will not have a closer relationship with these friends?


How different am I?
What makes me different?


When I left, despite all the laughter, I had a overwhelming feeling of sadness.  It was confirmation that I am more of a peasant than a princess...so where do I fit in?


It is as if I am trying to please the world instead of pleasing God.


....







2 comments:

Stephanie Faris said...

All deep questions... I wonder if maybe becoming more involved with your peers in church-like groups would bring you more gratification? Although I do fully believe that even a Christian can gain a lot through friendships outside of the church -- just in interacting and getting to know people.

Jenn said...

I think that we all go through this on some level, whether we are at work or school or on social outings like the one you had. I don't pretend to have the right answers or the best answers...but here is my take on it.

I think that these types of situations outside our "safety net" are there for a reason. He has a plan...and it is to reach out into the world. Maybe we need to be stretched a bit in our faith and maybe this is part of the stretching?

That said...pray about letting Him use you in these situations to be His light for your friends. It doesn't mean you have to preach or teach to them during this time...but when His light shines through, I'm convinced people want to get to know you and by knowing you they learn about Him or more about Him if they already know Him.

Just being a part of that group of friends means that God has an opportunity to use you as a witness...and so let Him. It's okay to enjoy yourself a little. I say let Him worry about the details. He has us here to enjoy life...to be in fellowship...and there is nothing wrong with getting together with friends to do just that.

Okay...so I don't know if that helped any...but I'll pray for you as you seek the answers you need.

Today is your birthday so be blessed!