FLYING SOLO
Goshen Evangelical Church
I was single for 25 years before I met and married my bride, Molly. That is a quarter of a century being defined by being alone. You would think that being or doing something for that long would make that existence somewhat comfortable. So why is it that when I was given a weekend alone, while Molly was at East Central Conference Women's Retreat, I had no idea what to do with myself? I felt utterly UNcomfortable. I played my guitar a little and caught up on a little reading, but at one point I found myself sitting and staring at a spot on the wall and realized I wasn't quite sure how long I had been staring. What had defined me for 25 years was no longer comfortable. I am now defined by what has been the norm for the past 10 months. One existing as one is not even close to as good as two existing as one.
When Sunday morning of that weekend came, I knew I would be speaking alone at Goshen Evangelical Church. I had grown comfortable sharing together with Molly so I prayed that God would give me the right words and give the congregation the right amount of grace if I wasn't as articulate on my own. God really answered my prayer in ways that I didn't even expect. He made me feel comfortable through the simplest act. There was a man that greeted me at the front door of the church. His name was "Shorty". I don't know if that was his given name, but that is what everyone called him and it fit. He instantly made me feel comfortable and welcomed because he looked exactly like my dad. They could be twins. After meeting him, any nervousness just faded away. The words flowed in the service and afterward as I greeted people and shook hands. After service I had a great lunch with Pastor Mitch Hile and his wife Shawn. It was a blessed morning
I'm sure you are way ahead of me on this spiritual analogy. Think about all you are defined by. Are you comfortable to live spiritually "alone" or will you find a new comfort in living in relationship with Christ? Maybe you have had a relationship with Christ for years, but something feels a bit "off". Perhaps that discomfort is there because you have been trying to revert to your former comforts of when you were defined by being "alone"......take some time to ponder it while you get comfortable in your easy chair and stare at a spot on the wall.
Blessings,
Bryan E. Canny
I was single for 25 years before I met and married my bride, Molly. That is a quarter of a century being defined by being alone. You would think that being or doing something for that long would make that existence somewhat comfortable. So why is it that when I was given a weekend alone, while Molly was at East Central Conference Women's Retreat, I had no idea what to do with myself? I felt utterly UNcomfortable. I played my guitar a little and caught up on a little reading, but at one point I found myself sitting and staring at a spot on the wall and realized I wasn't quite sure how long I had been staring. What had defined me for 25 years was no longer comfortable. I am now defined by what has been the norm for the past 10 months. One existing as one is not even close to as good as two existing as one.
When Sunday morning of that weekend came, I knew I would be speaking alone at Goshen Evangelical Church. I had grown comfortable sharing together with Molly so I prayed that God would give me the right words and give the congregation the right amount of grace if I wasn't as articulate on my own. God really answered my prayer in ways that I didn't even expect. He made me feel comfortable through the simplest act. There was a man that greeted me at the front door of the church. His name was "Shorty". I don't know if that was his given name, but that is what everyone called him and it fit. He instantly made me feel comfortable and welcomed because he looked exactly like my dad. They could be twins. After meeting him, any nervousness just faded away. The words flowed in the service and afterward as I greeted people and shook hands. After service I had a great lunch with Pastor Mitch Hile and his wife Shawn. It was a blessed morning
I'm sure you are way ahead of me on this spiritual analogy. Think about all you are defined by. Are you comfortable to live spiritually "alone" or will you find a new comfort in living in relationship with Christ? Maybe you have had a relationship with Christ for years, but something feels a bit "off". Perhaps that discomfort is there because you have been trying to revert to your former comforts of when you were defined by being "alone"......take some time to ponder it while you get comfortable in your easy chair and stare at a spot on the wall.
Blessings,
Bryan E. Canny
May your last 2 weeks in the States here in Moville be esp. memorable for you before embarking to your new life together in Bolivia! Always good to see you both when we can and keep up the great updates that you post!
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