You know Donald Miller, right? He’s the brilliant author of Blue Like Jazz. If you haven’t read it, that book is like a hot bath and a tall glass of cold water. I love Miller, Lamott, Rob Bell, Shane Claiborne, and several treasured others because they remind me of what Jesus taught in the first place, that following him has nothing to do with falling into line. On the contrary, it has everything to do with stepping out of line, raising a hand and asking the teacher politely: “Are you sure about that?” They remind me that you don’t change the world by telling people they’re not good enough. You change the world by convincing people of how fantastically beautiful and adored and perfect they already are, just as they are. Because that’s the truth.
Most importantly, those writers remind me that my faith is my own.
I love church, and I love the people who commit their lives to teaching God’s word. But with all due respect, they’re not the boss of me. Since the minute Jesus started talking, everybody on Earth has been trying to figure out what the Sam Hill he meant. My guess is as good, and likely as wrong, as anybody else’s . . . and so is yours. Jesus has room for each of us, even those of us who are unsure about a whole lot. If Jesus emphasized anything it was question everything. And also, while you’re questioning don’t be afraid. In seems like he really wanted to make sure we didn’t miss those parts.
I’m thankful to writers who are full of faith and who remind me to fearlessly think and seek for myself, and to admit publicly when I understand Jesus differently than some of the Christian powers-that-be. It always seems like there are a handful of religious leaders who make a whole lot of distracting noise and purport to speak for people of faith. Sort of like they did in Jesus’ day, come to think of it. But I don’t think most people of true faith are yelling about who’s in and who’s out for TV cameras. I think people of true faith are probably quite busy, actually, with all their feeding hungry people and visiting the elderly and prisoners and fighting for orphans and widows and mowing their neighbors’ yards and trying desperately not to be jerks and biting their tongues till they bleed to avoid gossiping and looking around and saying to each other: “Holy COW, do you believe how freaking beautiful this world and the people in it are?? Look at that baby, that flower, that sunset! Everything is a miracle! Do you believe we get to be alive and be a part of it all???What should we do to celebrate today? Who can we invite??” I imagine that the work and joy loads that people of true faith carry leave them little energy for finger wagging or categorizing or imaginary rule enforcing or public appearances.
Not that I have an opinion about that.
In any case, I’m grateful when people of faith actually sound like people of faith. Donald Miller does. Which is why I was going to share a passage from his new book with you today. Because there is an essay in his new book that is my new favorite thing I have ever read. I’m serious. My favorite. The second I finished this particular essay, I sat and stared at the wall for a good ten minutes. Then I left my children unsupervised and went to my room to type up the entire essay for you. That took me a long while, since I type with three fingers. And also because my hair and I are going through a rough patch lately, and so every task takes me twice as long these days because I have to take long breaks to worry about my bangs.
When I finally finished, I came back downstairs and made Craig read the essay, and I stared at him while he read to make sure he was making the appropriate facial expressions and murmuring correctly and raising his eyebrows at the right parts and having lots of epiphanies. When he finished I made him talk to me all night about how moved he was and what the passage meant to our family and how the passage would alter our parenting and the Revolution in general. He drank several Coronas to help him through the evening. It is hard to be Craig. He should have a stunt double or something.
Obviously this post is far too long now, so I will share the Miller passage with you tomorrow. Just forget I said anything because now that I’ve hyped it up so much you’re bound to be disappointed. It’s good, it’ll make you think, that’s all I’m saying.
Sister’s in Rwanda. She’s got stories already. She started a blog just for us Monkees to keep tabs on her adventures and challenges. I’ll share the blog with you on Wednesday.
Also, I’ll tell you about my new hometown soon. Can’t yet. No words. Too perfect, don’t want to break the spell.
Love, love, love,
G
PS. I’m not turning comments off today. I miss you, talk to me. Also, don’t forget to pray for Mike and Megan and their babies. Maryann will have a grandmonkee on each knee in no time. Speaking of miracles.
G!!! It's so nice to hear your voice. I'm happy. : )
Actually, it's nice to hear everyone else's voices, too. Lou (LOU!!!), Chimmy, Diane, Maryann, all of you beautiful Monkees.
Loved today's post and can't wait for news from Mandy. And tomorrow's essay. And news about Jeanette's baby.
Glennon,
As my little one would say, I am joying to the world about this post. Your joy is contagious indeed. Was hoping to look through my Donald Miller book and guess which essay you will be writing about, but alas it is time for bed.
Jeanette – I so wanna know… Thanks!!
I don't have anything really to add…except, hello monkees!!
And Jeanette – we do care and want you to have your baby! 2 of my 3 came late so I feel your pain and HATED all those questions/comments. My response started to be…yeah, well I didn't want to be here either! I'd much rather be in a hospital than standing here talking to you…
Best wishes and I can't wait to hear about the new little one
oops. typo.
i mean i LOVE comments.
ha.
i like typos because then people always write again to fix the typos which means more comments. I LVOE comments.
news, that is. news from mandy. boo hiss on typos.
Love this post and *dying* to hear new from Mandy.
okay. So, it's been a long day and I wrote something and then had to delete it because my computer doesn't love me and I suck at typing with minimal caffeine in my system. So, to try this again…
Glennon asked me to post a link to my blog where I have copied down one of my favorite Easter stories for kids. I hope you like it as much as I do, if you haven't read/heard it before.
http://www.attemptedsymmetry.blogspot.com/
Yes, yes, yes. I love your perspective on faith and the noise made by some who purport to speak for the rest of us. I often think that if Jesus walked into a modern church, the powers that be would probably crucify him today just like they did 2000 years ago.
Can't wait to hear about your new place and how sister is doing. I've been praying for you … my own sister is in Japan and by the time she comes home next April I will have had two babies!
Glennon, I've missed you. I can't wait til tomorrow and then Wednesday and well, all of the rest of the days!
Your post made me smile today Glennon, Thanks! Love your honesty and questioning about religion. It make religion a little less scary for me. Especially like your Craig comments. You just make me laugh. Such a great way to start the week.
Glad you are enjoying your new home.
Wow, all of you, so good to hear from you!
Diane, I am going to order that book today. So beautiful.
JG- I can't stop giggling about Cindy Mancini. Excellent, friend, excellent.
Jingle Bella, it's a really good point you make about keeping a balance. Also, we should note to other Monkees that Claiborne's books are also like a hot bath and a cold glass of water, but the glass of water is actually being splashed in your face. He's much more WAKE UP than BREATHE. Just so ya know.
Love, G
Ooooh. Blue Like Jazz will have to go on my to-buy-when-I-have-money-and-read list. I like Rob Bell and Shane Claiborne, and find them amazingly inspiring (Have read: Jesus wants to Save Christians, and Velvet Elvis, by Rob Bell, and The Irresistible Revolution and Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne (well … I haven't quite finished reading Jesus for President)) so this sounds good.
I think Bell and Claiborne's books are great books for making you think, although I do feel I have to balance them out against other things – mostly because they're usually not *trying* to give a balanced and thorough view of Everything, they're trying to speak to you on one particular thing and let you know how they see it, so if you want to get a grip on how lots of different things fit together you need other stuff to get the context right.
Chimmy: YES to the hot pink hair. I would be doing something like that if I wasn't about to graduate from University and start looking for my first proper job ever. I think hot pink hair might be a disadvantage in interviews.
G – great post, and looking forward to the rest of the week
Love Carol
I am certain that this Donald Miller is wonderful and inspiring, especially if you say so G. However, I have to voice my disappointment in discovering that today's post was not going to wax poetic about Cindy Mancini's white leather outfit or uncover the symbolism involved in the great African Anteater Ritual. Might I be so bold as to suggest a future post in tribute to the equally inspiring Ronald Miller, the man who taught us all,"Money can't buy you love"?
We missed you too, G! I can't wait to read your recommended books. I am a questioner, too. The one book I can point to and say it truly changed my life is "Letters to a Young Poet" by Ranier Maria Rilke. One of my favorite quotes goes with your post today:
"Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answers."
I remember in grad school one of my professors using the word, "problematize," which I'd never heard before, and which I promptly fell in love with. It means to make a problem of something generally not thought of as problematic, make the known into an unknown, to question the unquestioned. It's what I like to do best. Thanks for reminding me of that today. Dedicate one of today's unfocused gazes into the bay to me, please.
Refreshing!
They have arrived and Meg posted on their site: teamclarke.net. YEAH!!!!!! I am not completely sure that they will come home –permanently. I think Africa has their hearts and God has a plan. Hmmmmmmmmm
As for the hair thing– wait till it is going from dark to light(grey) all on its own. The new hair is not only a different color but has a distinct mind of its own. I can't dye it anymore for lots of reasons, so I am wtching as God becomes my colorist and makes it all His own.
Love to all
Granny Monkee
ps Spring Break !!!!!!!
Can't wait for tomorrow's essay or Amanda's news! You did a cliff hanger today..
oh, & my hair? fuhget about it. I look like a cavewoman or like I'm in 2nd grade either. I don't really spend that much time on my fashion anymore (sorry Pete) and I haven't had it cut in over 6 months. So, most days it is in a ponytail that was noticed by my brother as being "long" yesterday. For my brother to notice anything like that on his SISTER…it is too long, friend.
Also, I almost just commented on your missing phone and 23 messages. AHAHAHAH! That could have been right out of my mouth. I finally start listening to the messages and give myself anxiety worrying I missed something that I had full control over checking 2 days ago.. I just didn't.
Jeanette, I was thinking about you this weekend. It's just so exciting, all of it. I can't WAIT to get the news and you better believe I'll post announcements about your little monkee every place available. that baby will have people praying the world over.
ill send you my number. craig's actually. i can't find my phone. ever. last time i saw it it had 23 messages and so i got overwhelmed and refused to pick it up and i haven't seen it since.
Sunny, you are so, so welcome.
Thanks for this one G.
Missed ya Glennon but I'm guessing your respite has inspired some great words for us. Can't wait to see some pics from your sunrises and I'm looking forward to the posts this week.
However, that anticipation, of course, is overshadowed just a bit (a teensy, tiny bit) by my excitement of waiting to hold my new little one in my arms.
Any day now is all I can say (in a somewhat exasperated tone, especially when insensitive people make comments like "what are you doing here?" or my absolute favorite "You're still pregnant?").
G – We won't have computer access nor do we connect through our phones so if you want to get the "official-from-the-hospital" picture/text message, email me your phone number. Perhaps you could be so kind to post the baby stats on our FB page or here so all the Monkees could know and keep us in their prayers. I guess, I'm assuming you all would wanna know…
Walden Pond changed my life at the age of 15. And then again at 19. And then again at 20. And then again at 21. And then again at… oh you get the point.
Love Claiborne's title… Irresistable Revolution. That it is! (so long as I have good hair)
Hi Tricia!! Ooooh….what if you and Sister met?
Also, Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. Thanks.
It just occurred to me as I was reading this that our church is going to be doing BIG things in Rwanda. We are having a kick off in late April to raise money to build an orphanage. Maybe it's in Gods plan for Sister and I to pass ways. But then when I speculate, it is rarely in God's plan, so I will hush.
I am thrilled your new local is helping you along. We could all jump off the carousel and enjoy life more.
((hugs)) to you and all Monkees on this beautiful Monkday!
Tricia
Chimmy,
When you get Blue Like Jazz, will you please also order Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne? Also Walden Pond. We all need our own copy of that. Please, please, please. Need to discuss.
Girl, when I post pictures you will see my perma-bun as well. World-changing would be so much easier if I weren't constantly thinking about my hair.
Love, G
Carin,
I just want to say thank you. I get nervous every time I post about faith. Or anything else, for that matter. I feel like I can relax after your comment. It means a lot to me. Hugs to Sweet Little Lexi.
Love, G
Made a note to buy this Blue Jazz book. I like epiphanies that's why I keep coming back to Momastery.
Besides, I love authors that support my patchwork faith.
Between Donald's Craig-approved essay (how many coronas does Craig recommend??) and Sister's blog, there is so much to look forward to this week!
I'm glad the new town is doing your body and mind and soul some serious good.
And girl… maybe there is something in the air. My hair has a mind of its own. It has been confined to a bun for weeks now with no sign of change.
Maybe I should dye it hot pink?
G –
First, I have to say that you and I are up FAR too early. Especially you considering that you are now living by the water and should only be sitting on your front (back?) porch watching the waves and the shore birds. Post at 7 am, not 6.
That said, thank you for continuing to write and post, what an inspiration and a breath of fresh air. I am excited to read tomorrows essay as well as for Wednesday to hear the news of the new Monkee blog from Sister. She amazes me no end, actually, both Doyle girls do!
Thank you for not being scared to post about your faith, it's nice for (at least) me to know that there are people out there that have the same beliefs and struggles and amazements about God, Jesus and the people that love Him.
So, as this comment is too long, I will say:
Love to the Monkees and Love to you Glennon, thank you for being you.
Carin