“Oh the Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord…”

We’ve recently started doing a “special blessing” rather than the regular child’s prayer we sing at the table. My daughter’s have embraced this and never opt for the tired old one we’ve used for years. Their prayers are heartfelt and childlike but profound in every way. Moe recently prayed, “Dear God, let the poor have money and food and let my family get more stuff daily, Amen.” My son never wants to pray on his own, he claims he just doesn’t know what to say. My little man is a creature of habit and that likely has much to do with his reluctance to change his prayer; however, much like me, he has a very tender heart and is easily moved to tears. When he saw E.T. for the first (and only) time, he came to me looking so angry. I asked him what was wrong and he cried out, “…this movie is sad and its making my tears come down!” To this day, he still refuses to sit through E.T. ever again. While praying at home and church I’ve seen his little blue eyes well up with tears and he never can explain what he’s feeling. His daddy summed it up sufficiently with, “We’re all God’s babies and he wants to hear from us some.”

I am not comfortable praying out loud. I am not comfortable being in the spotlight even among friends or co-workers and I believe it is simply not my gift. Be that as it may, we pray at the office and we pray frequently. I remember being so thrilled when I began working a few weeks ago that the staff actually does take time to pray…then I learned I’d be expected to do so…ALOUD. How intimidating! Me? A simple lay-person expected to pray outloud in front of four Bible scholars? Joke, right? No, joke. I pray outloud at the office as do all other Crossroads Staff members. Talking to God on my own is the most natural thing in the world, but opening myself up to scrutiny is not something I’m used to. Not that anyone does scrutinize my prayer, quite the opposite. While I still struggle to adjust to stepping out of my comfort-zone, I am proud that we pray in the office. If someone requests prayer, we pray. If we don’t know them, we pray. If any of you are sick and we’re aware of it, we pray. You may be thinking…well, duh, its a church…you pray. True, that’s the assumption but I’ve been in other churches and I’ve felt a void, the opposite of inspiration. At Crossroads, prayer requests are taken seriously and are prayed over by the entire staff. For those of you who have requested prayer, this knowledge may be comforting and for those of you who’d like to request prayer…an encouragement to do so. If you find a quiet moment, I ask that you remember the Crossroads staff and mission in your personal prayers.

God’s Big Backyard…

Vacation Bible School begins tomorrow at Crossroads. The days leading up to this event have been filled with meetings, planning, decorating, and prayer. The excitement has really started to build as we near DAY ONE. This year promises to be a truly memorable event, as it is one of the few I’ve seen on Christian service. I am excited to be taking part in this and am confident that it will have a great impact on the children in the Joliet community. The kids will be taught this week to “Love God and Love your neighbor” through service to others and they will be challenged to go out into God’s neighborhood and find ways to serve.

The lovely Mrs. Murray and many others in the church have worked dilligently for months to ensure that we have an awesome week planned for the kids. So many have come forward to volunteer time and materials to make this week a success and it is quite humbling to see so many with a true understanding of the servant’s heart.

So the office this week will be a flurry of activity. We’re all going to be in God’s Big Backyard living, loving, serving, and sharing the love of Christ. Hope to see you there!

 

Coffee is for Closers…

Always be Closing

Like the “flavor of the day” in a coffee shop, each day at Crossroads is different than the next though certain routines remain. I usually stumble into a darkened office and turn on my computer (which after about 15 minutes, usually warms up). My first task of the day is to prepare java for the caffeinated elites on staff. When I first started we used Folgers, but now that Mr. Murray has found placement at the local Starbucks, I am to brew freshly ground Starbucks brand for the coffee enlightened. Personally, Starbucks is not my cup of joe but I’m a firm believer in capitalism and if they want to sell putrid coffee for $5 a cup and tell the world its “the best” well… its obvious some people will become believers.

You most often will find “Brother” Summers sequestered in his office perhaps writing his sermon or attending to matters of the church. I often wonder if there are toys hidden in his desk. He doesn’t seem to have a “world’s best boss” coffee mug yet, but Christmas is just 168 days away so I still have time to find one (note to self: plus a few back ups should one have an accident).

Mick and Christine usually fall in around 9. Mr. Murray can be found in his office or the library most days. Often, he is strumming his guitar singing a song, any song or he will work on his top secret Creative/Worship Arts projects whilst perfecting his genius for all things Rubik. Christine is great. We don’t converse until around 10 after she’s finished her muffin from Dunkin Donuts as we are both assuredly NOT morning people.

Some days the phone never rings and other days it never stops. People are always dropping in to say hi or help out with VBS….Crossroads is a great place to be no matter the flavor of the day.

Six Weeks

Many years ago, I began a quest to attain a job I believed would be perfect for me.  I was working in a bank at the time and while I didn’t mind the work, the schedule was not what I wanted.  I decided I wanted to work in a church office and applied for a job I just knew I’d love.  I went through the interview process and it dragged on for a while.  Ultimately, I was not chosen for that position.  I was pretty disappointed and some months later had another chance that was a sure thing, but I had to turn it down because the health insurance plan was lacking.  I gave up on that dream as I continued my life, marrying, having children, moving across the country.  As time passes, things we once dreamed of can be all but forgotten, as was the case for me.  A few months ago, I was offered a position in our church office and my forgotten dream was not only remembered but finally realized.  I was so thrilled to be invited to be apart of the Crossroads Team but I was also VERY nervous.  I have been a stay home mom for many years and the thought of going back to work outside the home EVERYDAY was daunting.  I’m still making adjustments as I try to balance work, motherhood, and home but I can say that I LOVE working at Crossroads.  It isn’t just a job in any church office.  Crossroads is a fantastic place filled with truly wonderful people and I thank God that He led our family here to worship and that He provided my dream job at the right time in my life.