The clouds were painting perfect, nearly unbelievable and such a blessing. The woman sang as she stepped out of the shower and toweled the renegade water off her body. She called to her husband and checked the bed when no answer came. No one there. Not that it was difficult, but she was happy that he knew today was special and not to give her any grief. She dusted herself with the rose-scented powder her younger sister gave her for Christmas and put on her robe. A little breakfast and then she would make herself up and dress.
The smell of coffee, eggs and bacon filled the house outside of her room She looked in the boys’ room out of habit and headed to the kitchen. The living room added another smell. Where those pancakes? Yes, definitely pancakes, her favorite.
Honey, I am never going to fit into my clothes after eating all this.
He whirled around beaming, already dressed for the day. Good morning! An extended and surprising kiss. You’ll look wonderful no matter what. Gotta have a good start to today, right? Plus I made it special. Please?
Okay, dear. She reached for the coffee mug cabinet door.
Uh uh uh. Sit down.
But…
I would like to serve you this morning. He gently scooted her to the table, pulled out the chair, placed the napkin in her lap, and began caricaturing a snooty waiter.
And what would the mademoiselle have this morning?
Her guffaws snorted.
If the lady wishes, our special today is a plate of eggs, bacon and pancakes and comes with a piping hot mug of our finest Folgers coffee.
She snickered, I’ll have that.
Yes, madam.
Once the plates were set and the coffee poured, he looked at her and asked, Will you do the honors?
They bowed their heads, and she blessed the food to the nourishment of their bodies and sent thanks for their healthy children and granddaughters.
Are you nervous?
I’m trying not to be. It’s not like there is any going back now. Once I’m up there, I should be fine, right? It can’t be that much harder than singing?
You’ll be wonderful.
This was the right decision? I’m not making a fool of myself? Or you or the family?
We’ve always followed where the Lord leads. I wouldn’t doubt it now.
Yes. It’s just not what I expected of life.
No.
The meal finished in thought. He cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher. She made up her face and dressed in the new dress she bought for the occasion. Sensible, comfortable and lovely, it gave her a shot of confidence.
Bobby, we need to get going soon. I don’t want to rush you, but we shouldn’t be late.
I’m almost ready. Just need to slip on my shoes. Can you grab my purse?
Already done.
She walked out the front door and was surprised by a flood of cheering. All of her children, their spouses and her three (so far) grandchildren stood in the driveway wearing their Sunday best. Her oldest walked up with a corsage.
We are so proud of you, Mama. I’m so glad my girls and my niece will have you as a role model. We are very lucky.
He pinned the corsage to her dress.
Speeeeeeech!
Speech!
Speech!!
Speech speech speech speech speech speech speech.
She waved them silent. Y’all are gonna ruin my make-up. Now, I already have one speech to give today. I think two is pushing it. So let’s just all pile in our cars and head over to the church before I get cold feet about this whole thing.
Mom, you’ll be great.
The familiar drive to the chapel calmed her. This place had always been her true home; she didn’t need to fear these people. They may disagree with her, but they would love her. Somehow, though, the possibility of disagreement terrified her. She kept repeating that this is home; Christ’s love is here; I won’t be rejected. The images of people rushing for the door though still came. Her heart had never beaten so quickly. Ed finally pulled into the parking lot and beelined for the space beside the front door. It was still early but a few people had gathered outside. Bobby tried to read their thoughts when they looked at her, but nothing.
~~~
An hour later she sat upon the stage, looking out over rows and rows of full pews. The air conditioning was working but sweat beaded up and made her clothes stick to her uncomfortably. The song was nearly over and then it would be time. She closed her eyes and sent a small prayer for strength up to heaven, inhaled, walked up to the lectern and exhaled.
Well, it nice to see so many faces this morning. I hope that I won’t disappoint.
She bowed her head. Heavenly Father, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts and minds be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord.
Good morning. I’d like to start today with a short passage. Ruth, Chapter 1, Verses 16 through 17. “But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” When I was married, if we had decided on vows other than the traditional ones, this passage would have been mine. Every time I read it, I get the shivers – the good kind. I come now to you, my friends, with this promise, this vow to you. I stand here a new pastor, recently ordained and given this church, which has been my home for over thirty years. Never have we had a woman at the pulpit, and I know change is difficult especially when souls and the light of Christ are at stake. Many, perhaps most, of you are worried. I am worried too, and no one can be more surprised than I am standing here. If another woman had stood before me, claiming the light of Christ, I am not sure that I would not have rejected her. Change is hard. But I have given my life to the Lord and where He leads, I can but only follow. Brothers and sisters, the Lord sent me to seminary, and then He sent me here. I must stand here before you and ask for your acceptance Ask that you welcome me as the new shepherd of this precious flock.
Perhaps being led by a woman is distasteful to some of you. Maybe you think that I could never hold that kind of power or don’t have the ability to lead. I cannot promise you that I am ready, or that I can lead, because I cannot be these things or do these things without you. A good shepherd must know how to balance the sheep’s knowledge with his own. A good parent will have dreams and plans for each of his or her children. As those tiny babies grow up, their dreams and plans must be honored. We give them our wisdom, our lessons, our love – whether or not they want it. We let their journey change the dreams we have for them. This is what I offer to you. “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.” Let us pray.
The smell of coffee, eggs and bacon filled the house outside of her room She looked in the boys’ room out of habit and headed to the kitchen. The living room added another smell. Where those pancakes? Yes, definitely pancakes, her favorite.
Honey, I am never going to fit into my clothes after eating all this.
He whirled around beaming, already dressed for the day. Good morning! An extended and surprising kiss. You’ll look wonderful no matter what. Gotta have a good start to today, right? Plus I made it special. Please?
Okay, dear. She reached for the coffee mug cabinet door.
Uh uh uh. Sit down.
But…
I would like to serve you this morning. He gently scooted her to the table, pulled out the chair, placed the napkin in her lap, and began caricaturing a snooty waiter.
And what would the mademoiselle have this morning?
Her guffaws snorted.
If the lady wishes, our special today is a plate of eggs, bacon and pancakes and comes with a piping hot mug of our finest Folgers coffee.
She snickered, I’ll have that.
Yes, madam.
Once the plates were set and the coffee poured, he looked at her and asked, Will you do the honors?
They bowed their heads, and she blessed the food to the nourishment of their bodies and sent thanks for their healthy children and granddaughters.
Are you nervous?
I’m trying not to be. It’s not like there is any going back now. Once I’m up there, I should be fine, right? It can’t be that much harder than singing?
You’ll be wonderful.
This was the right decision? I’m not making a fool of myself? Or you or the family?
We’ve always followed where the Lord leads. I wouldn’t doubt it now.
Yes. It’s just not what I expected of life.
No.
The meal finished in thought. He cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher. She made up her face and dressed in the new dress she bought for the occasion. Sensible, comfortable and lovely, it gave her a shot of confidence.
Bobby, we need to get going soon. I don’t want to rush you, but we shouldn’t be late.
I’m almost ready. Just need to slip on my shoes. Can you grab my purse?
Already done.
She walked out the front door and was surprised by a flood of cheering. All of her children, their spouses and her three (so far) grandchildren stood in the driveway wearing their Sunday best. Her oldest walked up with a corsage.
We are so proud of you, Mama. I’m so glad my girls and my niece will have you as a role model. We are very lucky.
He pinned the corsage to her dress.
Speeeeeeech!
Speech!
Speech!!
Speech speech speech speech speech speech speech.
She waved them silent. Y’all are gonna ruin my make-up. Now, I already have one speech to give today. I think two is pushing it. So let’s just all pile in our cars and head over to the church before I get cold feet about this whole thing.
Mom, you’ll be great.
The familiar drive to the chapel calmed her. This place had always been her true home; she didn’t need to fear these people. They may disagree with her, but they would love her. Somehow, though, the possibility of disagreement terrified her. She kept repeating that this is home; Christ’s love is here; I won’t be rejected. The images of people rushing for the door though still came. Her heart had never beaten so quickly. Ed finally pulled into the parking lot and beelined for the space beside the front door. It was still early but a few people had gathered outside. Bobby tried to read their thoughts when they looked at her, but nothing.
~~~
An hour later she sat upon the stage, looking out over rows and rows of full pews. The air conditioning was working but sweat beaded up and made her clothes stick to her uncomfortably. The song was nearly over and then it would be time. She closed her eyes and sent a small prayer for strength up to heaven, inhaled, walked up to the lectern and exhaled.
Well, it nice to see so many faces this morning. I hope that I won’t disappoint.
She bowed her head. Heavenly Father, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts and minds be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord.
Good morning. I’d like to start today with a short passage. Ruth, Chapter 1, Verses 16 through 17. “But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” When I was married, if we had decided on vows other than the traditional ones, this passage would have been mine. Every time I read it, I get the shivers – the good kind. I come now to you, my friends, with this promise, this vow to you. I stand here a new pastor, recently ordained and given this church, which has been my home for over thirty years. Never have we had a woman at the pulpit, and I know change is difficult especially when souls and the light of Christ are at stake. Many, perhaps most, of you are worried. I am worried too, and no one can be more surprised than I am standing here. If another woman had stood before me, claiming the light of Christ, I am not sure that I would not have rejected her. Change is hard. But I have given my life to the Lord and where He leads, I can but only follow. Brothers and sisters, the Lord sent me to seminary, and then He sent me here. I must stand here before you and ask for your acceptance Ask that you welcome me as the new shepherd of this precious flock.
Perhaps being led by a woman is distasteful to some of you. Maybe you think that I could never hold that kind of power or don’t have the ability to lead. I cannot promise you that I am ready, or that I can lead, because I cannot be these things or do these things without you. A good shepherd must know how to balance the sheep’s knowledge with his own. A good parent will have dreams and plans for each of his or her children. As those tiny babies grow up, their dreams and plans must be honored. We give them our wisdom, our lessons, our love – whether or not they want it. We let their journey change the dreams we have for them. This is what I offer to you. “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.” Let us pray.
This is the continuation of this story. I don't know that it's finished (meaning fully fleshed out). There are a few edits from that first post.
My grandmother has always been a faithful and religious person. She was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and I'm writing this as sort of card to her. I don't think she ever considered becoming a minister, so I've decided to imagine it for her.
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