The Church Lady

Wonder what popped into your mind when you read the title? When I hear the term “church lady” I think of Dana Carvey’s character on Saturday Night Live. That character cracks me up.

Really, when I think about a “church lady”, I picture an older woman, very serious looking – almost stern and of course she would be wearing a strand of pearls. Her collar would be buttoned up tight and her dress would be something matronly looking. Funny isn’t it what images we come up with certain words and phrases.

Going to services in our congregation I see all kinds of church ladies. Ladies with all different colors and lengths of hair, stylish clothing, all different ages and different sizes, and they all have one thing in common. Their willingness to meet together and worship God. Each one of them is different in their own way.

Let’s look at some of the women in the Bible.

• Eve – the mother of all living persons
• Woman at the well – sinful but searching
• Mary Magdalene – a follower of Jesus
• Esther – a queen
• Ruth – a beloved mother-in-law
• Jael – an ordinary woman who would kill
• Deborah – a warrior princess

Which one of these women would you be able to pick out of a crowd? Each of these listed above could be any one of us.

Some of those women I worship with I know them very well. Others I just know their names and faces, then others I’m just getting to know.

I’m always amazed when I get to know someone new and there story of where they have been in their lives and how they came to find Christ. When I first started going to worship, I felt like everyone was better than me and I was a heathen that had so much to learn. Amazing to find out that at some point and time we all have been “at the beginning” of becoming a “church lady”.

So as you go through your week, think about how far you have come in your walk with Christ and what kind of “church lady” you are. Stop and say a special prayer this week for all the women in the church who trying their best to be like Christ in their own special way with the gifts that God has given them.

May God Bless

Detoxing – All the Rave

So, tell me what is this “detox” all about? You drink lemon and spinach water and empty yourself until you can’t stand up. Whaaaat? Somehow I don’t think this is good for me. Now each of us can do our own thing, but I know for a fact that one isn’t going to work for me. Let me clarify, I’m not talking about detoxing from alcohol or drugs, that is a totally different subject.

I know we pick up free radicals thought our breathing air and drinking water. I know that our food is full of chemicals and hormones and antibiotics. I try my best to control the foods we eat. We don’t eat out a lot, comparatively to others, we buy local food as much as possible and I wash my food before I eat it. (Most of the time.)

I do believe that the more we process our food, the worse it is for us. Some days we get our healthy kale shakes in and some days we don’t. I can tell you this, we are doing better today than a year ago with our eating habits. So hurrah for us. I’m pretty lucky; my husband will eat just about anything. Every once in a while when I try something new, he will just say “not so much”. 

Just so you know, I refuse to give up my dark chocolate. Nope, it is not going to happen.

What I think we should be more concerned with is detoxing our minds and souls. What we watch, read, and listen to, can be more harmful than anything we eat or drink. This old body is going to give out one day and turn to dust, my soul, Lord willing, will live on forever.

The Olympics are really great. We have loved watching them, but one thing I don’t understand. Why do the ladies beach volleyball players have to be almost naked? Sure they are getting hot and sweaty and sand all over them, but that is the game. Don’t tell me they play better being dressed the way they are. I just am not buying it. But I digress.

Movies, TV shows, music, books are good and wonderful, as long as we are choosing those items appropriately. No, I don’t always make the right choice and no I’m not a prude. Anyone that knows me can vouch for that, but I try. I get up each day and try hard again. Then when I lay my head on that pillow at night I ask God to bless me, forgive me and let me try again the next day.

So instead of being so concerned about detoxing your body of harmful chemicals and such, try detoxing your mind and soul. It just might make your body feel better too.

May God Bless