[post from fall 2012]
It's not often that I feel like staying out until almost one in the morning. But tonight was a special night celebrating a special woman. The gifts we bought were cards written with affirmations and blessings. Shana is in transition and we were marking the end of her time in a leadership role.
We filled our tummies with yummy food, saffron lemonade, wine, and moscato. We filled our hearts with laughter and our eyes with tears. No one judged anyone for eating 12+ oreo/cream cheese truffles. We knew we were celebrating and enjoying.
Shana shared metaphors with us about what the transition was like, explaining that the soul speaks in imagery and not words. After listening to her metaphors, we prayed for her; and as each woman spoke, it was clear that her vulnerability had once again reconnected us with that place in ourselves.
It's funny when a leader in your life transitions out of a leader role. Suddenly, I realized that Shana wasn't awesome because of her role in our church. She was simply awesome. Her way of being was no doubt deeply influenced by years of conversations in and around the church however her being, her essence, her presence is simply who she is. We didn't have a rock awesome women's ministry leader. We had a rock awesome woman leading ministry. A subtle distinction, no doubt, but it encapsulates that she will continue on, though not in the same role she once filled.
Driving home, through unknown neighborhoods and on the interstate that winds under city buildings and leads to known neighborhoods, I pondered the conversations I'd had. I felt grateful for the time spent out late, knowing it was worth every minute. I am starting to recover from a season in my life where I automatically answered every invitation to spend time somewhere negatively due to hectic days. I can now answer, "Yes! I do want to do that!" and then do it. It's weird to let myself begin to flip that switch...
It's not often that I feel like staying out until almost one in the morning. But tonight was a special night celebrating a special woman. The gifts we bought were cards written with affirmations and blessings. Shana is in transition and we were marking the end of her time in a leadership role.
We filled our tummies with yummy food, saffron lemonade, wine, and moscato. We filled our hearts with laughter and our eyes with tears. No one judged anyone for eating 12+ oreo/cream cheese truffles. We knew we were celebrating and enjoying.
Shana shared metaphors with us about what the transition was like, explaining that the soul speaks in imagery and not words. After listening to her metaphors, we prayed for her; and as each woman spoke, it was clear that her vulnerability had once again reconnected us with that place in ourselves.
It's funny when a leader in your life transitions out of a leader role. Suddenly, I realized that Shana wasn't awesome because of her role in our church. She was simply awesome. Her way of being was no doubt deeply influenced by years of conversations in and around the church however her being, her essence, her presence is simply who she is. We didn't have a rock awesome women's ministry leader. We had a rock awesome woman leading ministry. A subtle distinction, no doubt, but it encapsulates that she will continue on, though not in the same role she once filled.
Driving home, through unknown neighborhoods and on the interstate that winds under city buildings and leads to known neighborhoods, I pondered the conversations I'd had. I felt grateful for the time spent out late, knowing it was worth every minute. I am starting to recover from a season in my life where I automatically answered every invitation to spend time somewhere negatively due to hectic days. I can now answer, "Yes! I do want to do that!" and then do it. It's weird to let myself begin to flip that switch...
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