Useful. Beautiful. Joyful.

Posted on July 2, 2011 by Katie

I like to shop. I like to buy things – especially on clearance. I like to think of moving things around in my house or buying new things for my house to make it prettier or more functional or whatever. A lot of people do the same, right?

But lately that part of myself has been in conflict with the other part of myself – the part of me that craves simplicity, cleanliness, more money to give elsewhere. Months ago Matt and I began to scour our house for things we didn’t really need any more. We got rid of a ton of stuff (possibly a literal TON of things). We sold them all at a yard sale over Memorial Day weekend, and made a good deal of money from it all. It was a very successful purge and sale!

So someone tell me why I still feel like I’m surrounded by my things? Why do I feel like I have another purge coming on?

I follow Paulo Coelho on Twitter. Many years ago I read and loved his book “By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept” and I have a few other books by him that I want to read. He tweets really insightful things, and I have enjoyed following him. Last week he tweeted this:

Oh how that has been resonating with me lately! I think it’s time to go through my house and REALLY get rid of things I don’t find useful, beautiful or joyful.

I think the same can be said about my spiritual life as well. How many incorrect theological beliefs, painful memories, unfounded anxieties, etc. do I hold on to that aren’t useful or beautiful or joyful? I know too many people who have held on to pain and anger for far too long. These things have a way of growing in our hearts and pushing out all other thoughts and memories that might be useful, beautiful or joyful. I don’t want that for my life. I CAN’T have that for my life. I want to make room in my heart and mind for grace and love. Don’t you?

How much stuff do YOU hold on to that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful?

Ordained

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Katie

or·dain
[awr-deyn]
–verb (used with object)
1. to invest with ministerial or sacerdotal functions; confer holy orders upon.

When we were in high school, Matt and I went with our youth group to SIFAT in Lineville, Alabama for a week. We loved SIFAT so much, we have been back many times since, and even spent 3 months working there as interns one summer. SIFAT is definitely dear to both of us, and each time we have gone has changed our lives in new and amazing ways. SIFAT has taught us about the reality of the rest of the world living in poverty. SIFAT has taught us about other cultures. SIFAT has taught us about faith and trust in the Lord. Our SIFAT experiences have provided us with some of the best friends we could ask for. BUT – the biggest impact SIFAT has had on our lives is this one that wasn’t fully realized for a number of years.

That first trip we took in high school was June 14-21, 1997. While we were on that trip, Matt first heard his call to ministry. The story of his call is a beautiful one, but it’s one that I will let him share. Perhaps he will someday on his blog! A little more than two years after this trip, Matt and I were engaged to be married. We married in 2002 while he was in college, we moved to Wilmore, KY for him to attend seminary, and we have been in ministry since his graduation in 2007. After many years of study and tests and mentoring and learning and preparing, Matt was finally ordained at our annual conference on June 11th. Almost 14 years exactly from the date he received his call to ministry.

In an auditorium full of people, Matt knelt before the Bishop to receive his ordination. Clergy who were integral in his ordination were gathered around to lay hands on him. Dozens of people stood in the audience in support of him. It was a really beautiful moment – one I will never forget.

The story that God is creating for me and Matt is one of obedience. I obediently opened my eyes and my heart to Matt’s love because of the Lord’s leading. Matt obediently followed his call to ministry. We are obedient together by serving the churches God has given us to care for – even when it’s hard! We have been blessed a thousand times over for our obedience too. God has given us deeper love for each other every day, and has stretched our hearts to love the people in our churches more and more every day. It’s an amazing thing to be in ministry!

I’m so proud of Matt. The journey to ordination is not easy in The United Methodist Church, but he has navigated it with grace and integrity. He’s the most amazing man I know, and I can’t wait to see where God takes us.

Congratulations Rev. Beefcake! I’m so proud to be your wife!