Tuesday, May 22, 2007

I'm Baaaack!

“So…what was it like?” That is the question I have been asked this morning, my first day back after a month long sabbatical. I could easily come up with a basketful of answers, because it was a time of variety and freedom. I read less than I expected to, prayed more, stayed up later and played Carcasonne and HeroScape addictively. I cleaned and reorganized, and sat – just sat – on the glider in the backyard, and spent a couple of days in silence at a monastery. I was not drawn to my computer, e-mail, or phone, and being unplugged fed my freedom. But there were times, especially on the weekends that I was acutely homesick for my church family, and I am so glad to be back in this place today. As I sit here watching a robin tugging on a worm in the back grass I know it is the little common things that are so dear. Yes, I loved being on sabbatical and thank the church leadership for investing in me in this generous way, but I do so love being back…at home.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Ultimate Freedom on the Field

By: Amy McAninch

With the aroma of hot dogs and french fries filling the air, the song of our National Anthem playing, and the laughter from giddy children, I come to realize baseball is in full swing and life seems complete. I stand in awe of how I love being here at the field, but this last week God showed me something much bigger, his ultimate freedom.

It was last Tuesday, a beautiful day, and as a lifegroup we decided to meet at Tam-o-Shanter Park after Haley and Ryan’s Tee-Ball game. As everyone came, one by one to the field, I became overjoyed that my lifegroup was wrapping up their lives with ours and seeing just a glimpse of what we do down at the ball fields. After Haley and Ryan’s game, the kids got to run off with Cherise to the park, while the rest of us found a covered picnic area and opened our bibles.

It was at that moment, while the wind was blowing cold and hard, and everyone was freezing, that I realized I was truly blessed. Not only by my amazing husband and our loving lifegroup, but by the fact that God has given us the freedom to worship him anywhere. Even though we were all freezing, the sun was shining and I could feel God’s glory on that field. I thought I felt complete on that ball field before, but now, I fully rejoice in the freedom that God has given me, on the field and off.