Eat, Pray, Love

Yes, that Eat, Pray,Love.  A friend gave me this book a while back, okay several months ago, and I just picked it up today.  I must confess I mainly ready nonfiction and Christian fiction.  But this book has gotten a lot of press, and a movie, so I am curious.

Within the first half hour I came across her definition of 'God,' and what it included and DID NOT include, namely Christ as Savior.  But I kept on reading. Because I believe that Christians are to be IN the world, not OF the world.  So I am reading a book I disagree with in case it comes up in conversations with other women.  If we totally isolate ourselves from all thing secular, how can we defend Christ to them?

How many people in your life are not Christian?  How many non-Christians do you interact with on a daily or semi-daily basis?  As a pastor's wife and a stay at home mom it has been really easy for me to isolate myself with other Christians.  And I don't believe that is what God wants of me.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  (Matthew 28:19)


I have discovered that it is hard to follow this command when you surround yourself with people who  are disciples already.


So our move from Cincinnati to Toledo has been good for me in this aspect.  I have new neighbors who I have made efforts to get to know.  I am subbing in the school system where my kids go to school and have had the opportunity to meet many people.   I am volunteering at our church food pantry meeting people who are genuinely struggling.  I provide coffee and danishes mixed with Jesus.  And I am so grateful that He has given me these opportunities.


It is not easy for me to just talk to strangers about Jesus.   That is not my gift.  BUT that is also not a good reason not to.  I am called to offer the Bread of Life along with bread for the stomach on Tuesday mornings. So I pray for opportunities and strength, courage, boldness. And God provides these to me.  And He shows me when NOT to speak.  For some of the people I see, it is a stretch for them to walk in to a church building. They only come because they are hungry.  Some of them have been so beaten up by life. Many of them have been mistreated by the church.  They need to first learn that not all people who attend church are judgmental or out to harm them.  How sad that so many have been hurt by people in the church.


So, I pray and God leads.....I wouldn't have it any other way!