The one thing that does not change in our lives is that things are constantly changing. A common question in America today is "How are you doing?" When we are confronted with this greeting, we respond with a sort of "ahhh, well...um...good? Busy." We simply do not know. We do not have the time to prep for such questioning. Mind you, this is not by choice. I hate being busy. I was designed to work no more than thirty two hours a week and spend the rest pursuing passions such as family, writing, reading, education (academic and recreational), music, physical activity, and relaxation. Yes, relaxing is a passion of mine. Sometimes you just gotta do what life requires. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade...or something to that effect. What I have always gotten from that saying, by the way, is that one would take the situations life has given them, tear them apart, squeeze them till there is not a drop of flavor left, then toss the remains into Scott's compost. That is not how I would like to experience life, however, that is simply my opinion. But I digress... What was I saying? Ah, yes. Life is busy. Here is a recap.
Heidi does taxes as we all know. As a result of this, she spends a good deal of time at work; probably 50-60 hours per week. During this busy time, she was called to serve on a jury for a trial that took two weeks. She did not have the option of not doing people’s taxes so she had to go in before the trial and return after the trial. That made things very busy for her. The poor lady did not even get to see the little guy much. Meanwhile, elsewhere... I sit at home since my new job has not started and I am only working 27 hours a week at $tarbucks and there is not anything due at school... Things are working out for her now that everything has come to a screeching halt as of Tuesday, April 18. The trial had ended a few days earlier and tax season was officially over on the 17th. Now she gets to enjoy Isaiah a bit more and get some stuff done that she wants to.
Ryan, (represented in this blog as "I" "me" "myself" and other pronouns referring to first person), now carries the "busy" torch that was previously carried by his amazing wife. With the new job at Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano (www.biaggis.com - check it out) as a server, school still in session, and working as a shift supervisor for the corporation bent on global domination, I am currently and officially "busy." To keep benefits and position at Larbucks, I have to work 24 hours a week and to be eligible for benefits starting in November at Biaggi's, I have to work 30 hours a week. Doing some simple math, it is evident I have to work a minimum of 52 hours a week. Wait, no. I was never good at math. 53 hours a week. After school is out, this will not be as big of a deal. I am getting used to it. I do not even complain anymore...
In the midst of all of this, Heidi and I are trying to find what ministry and purpose God has for us in the church. I realize that we should probably read "The Purpose Driven Life" or "Prayer of Jabez" so we will know the answer, but we tend to rely on good ol' fashion prayer. I know, how archaic. Anywho, we definitely feel called to planting, establishing, and reproducing churches. This path could take a while and we are not sure how to go about pursuing God via this path since He has blessed us with so much other responsibility. Specifically, Heidi has chosen her main ministry to be to the family but she also wants to minister to gang members and those that have chosen that life style. There is a huge need for something else to live for in that culture. Too often we hear the comments of "oh we should throw them all in jail," or "let them kill each other," or "there isn't a problem." These are people. They are hurting and we need to reach out to them. Another thing we hear is that Heidi should go to the jails to minister to them because taking it to the streets is dangerous. I do not know about you, but I personally am glad that was not the philosophy of the early church and of the apostles. Again, I digress... I have my heart in planting churches without walls where the building does not matter. Maybe there is one but most likely there will not be. It would meet in coffee shops, at bars, poker nights, etc. The churches that I feel call to establish are edgy and focus on Jesus Christ and Him crucified. These callings we have intertwine at enough points so that we can support each other, work together, and have separate passions we pursue.
We have it all figured out for God, He just needs to get on board with the direction we are moving. Not really. We are simply waiting for God's timing because, though it is hard for me to grasp, His ways are not my ways AND they are better.
Isaiah agrees with all of this and adds, "Da da da da da. Bluuuuaahhh-ooooooo. Ma."