Family
Every once in awhile something happens at Bikers’ Church that reminds me again of the kind of family this group truly is. This time is was how so many came together to support one of our own. The mother of one of our members passed away late last week after a long battle with cancer. Her death was not a surprise – the family was expecting her to go within weeks.
Still, yesterday I watched as so many of our members showed up at the gathering that was held in her honour. Most had never met this woman, and yet they were there – many taking time off work to do so. They came because one of their own – a brother – was grieving the loss of his mom. And that’s what family does.
I always feel bad for churches that are messed up, divided, battling with each other. I feel sorry for the people who are caught up in such silliness. I’ve been a part of churches like that, and the last word you would use to describe them is “family.”
Perhaps it’s because I’ve been a part of churches that are full of the nonsense that I find myself truly appreciating what we have at Bikers’ Church. It is a family. There is a genuine love for each other.
Last week, another of our members was in an accident. He was fine – walked away with just some damage to his bike. And even in that case, the number of people who responded with well-wishes and prayers was truly amazing.
It’s just so cool. I love these people. My family.
We are the people in your neighbourhood …
I was going to write on something totally different, and may still put down my original thoughts in another post, but I was struck by something I read this morning. You see, my morning ritual includes the following: read the morning paper while having my first cup of coffee. Say goodbye to Heather and Christina. Drink a second cup of coffee while reading my overnight emails and a variety of blogs I have sent directly into my mail program. Write this blog while finishing up my second cup of coffee. Contemplate a third cup of coffee. (Of course, all of that gets messed up when I have a breakfast meeting with someone – ministry is so wonderful except when you have to deal with people!! [joking ... maybe]).
Anyway, back to what happened this morning. I’m reading my blogs. I have about six blogs that I read every time a new post is added. A couple are technology related (yes, I’m a Mac Geek). One is hockey related (always will be a Sens fan). A few are spiritual (pastors, missional, emergent).
There is one other blog I have subscribed to. It’s Carrie’s Blog. You can click on the link is this article (after you’re finished reading it of course), or find a link in my blog roll on the right side column.
To be honest, it’s my favourite blog. Why? It’s real. It’s honest. Some days I cringe when I read what she writes – after all, this is a public domain and these words never truly disappear. Some days she brings me close to tears. Some days I just laugh at her outlook on life.
I loved what she wrote today. I would copy and paste it here for you, but I’d rather you go to her blog and read it for yourself. It’s under the heading “Comparisons”. And to me, it reveals a spiritual maturity that is lacking in so many people who call themselves Christians today. Perhaps that why I continue to prefer the term Christ Follower to Christian. Too many immature Christians (but, I digress).
Carrie is, to me, a typical example of the people who attend Bikers’ Church. They are people who are real about their faith. They don’t fit into a box called “Christianity”. They don’t fit into any religious ideology. They are simply people recognize that “He’s God, I’m not” and are attempting to live their life according to that concept. They are people who are discovering what it means to “follow Jesus.” They are bikers, parents, professionals, welders, construction workers, secretaries, tattooists, and even a few Mac Geeks. They are people just like you – and just like the people you live near.
But to me, they are family. My family.
If you don’t blog, I encourage you to consider doing it. Share your thoughts. You may never have an audience of thousands, but who cares? To me, people like Carrie make all the difference in how my day begins. Why not be a part of that?
