“I’m just not all that religious!” I worried.
“What do you mean?” asked my dear friend, Kathy, knowing she could find a way to my heart.
I was thinking about taking an introductory class at Columbia Seminary. This was a weekend-long Immersion Experience, the first segment of their Spiritual Formation certificate program. But I wasn’t sure. I had lunch with my friend, Kathy, a huge proponent and enthusiastic graduate of the program, and Terri, a friend also considering the option.
“Well, you know,” I offered, embarrassed, “I feel very spiritual and I love my church, but I don’t sit around reading the Bible, and I really don’t know much about it! I don’t do anything that feels real religious.”
“What DO you do?” she probbed.
I laughed, “Well, I eat lunch out a lot!”
“Ah, that’s it!” Kathy offered. ”You have a lunch ministry! That’s your passion, your spiritual path, your mission!”
And she’s right! I love to meet my girl friends or go out by myself for an hour or more. The conversation with treasured friends–those from over 30 years ago like Kathy, or brand new ones (Hi, Julie G)–always turns immediately to life: our dreams, our families, our goals and detours, our hopes and feelings, and one bit at a time, our stories. Together we sort out what makes sense, how our paths connect, and what experiences or resources we may have that support one another.
Isn’t that what creates a spiritual community?
- Sorting out what makes sense in life,
- Discovering how our paths connect to those in our lives and those who have gone before (even those in that Bible), and
- Sharing and creating experiences and resources that help each of us become a stronger, more engaged member of a thriving community of life-givers (definition: those who breathe LIFE and JOY into everyone around them).
You’ll find that theory of the lunch ministry here in my blog, Soul Food From Sally. I am a Christian, I do attend and participate in a wonderful organized church, and most whole-heartedly I do engage in a life of the spirit and the soul with every person I encounter. And one of these days I will read the Bible!
P.S. A word on lunching alone: I can’t recommend it highly enough! A book, a journal, a magazine and me…time to reflect, to recharge, to be quiet within the white noise. Embarrassed? Heavens no! I AM an independent woman happily engaged in life–I smile at everyone, exude confidence, and interact with those I am called to speak with. I just love them for who they are; we have fun; and, who knows who I’ll meet! My goal is to make someone’s day, many times each day.
Not only do I deserve to be here, but I should be…for some reason!! Someone up there has put me here to do my ministry-thing (smile). Try it…and let us know what you think!
Oooo! I’m famous!
LOTS more to talk about–life philosophy is one of my favorite topics!
-Julie