Paying Attention to the Wrong Things

We all do this.

No matter how attentive we may be, we miss many big things.

Praying this morning, I realized I passed up the chance to meet a new group of people because I felt overwhelmed with tasks and didn't have a face shot photo. Only today, weeks after the invitation and my rejection of the offer, did I realize what I'd done.

A colleague here in the Disaster Area got a blistering letter from a pastor. The pastor came down to put on a VBS for a church a few weeks ago. The visiting pastor believed that the church should be grateful, empty rooms for the VBS, provide particular housing, and have the colleague be present often. What she didn't realize is that my colleague serves a devastated congregation and his work is with them, not the visiting mission team. The mission team pastor paid attention to her team, her idea of a gift, her sense of how things should be done. Rather than realizing her needs were driving the week, she blamed the colleague. Wrong things.

The reality of living and doing ministry down here is this: if you come (and God knows we are grateful and need the help) come self-sustaining and handle your own stuff. The pastors and congregations are busy, exhausted and need to pay attention to their work, not your idea of the mission trip.

A child behaves in a way we don't understand. We grab the first idea we have for coping. Parenting involves pivoting to grasp what is needed for the child. I've learned this over and over with the Casseroles. Attention to the right things helps.

A church member blasts the pastor. What is going on? Could it be the member needs your attention? Is the member worried, anxious, losing hope for his future?


I'm not sure I'll ever get great at paying attention to the right things. I work on seeing and listening. I pray and listen.


St. Casserole

Former President Jimmy Carter and Mrs. Carter are down here to build houses for Habitat for Humanity. The plan is to build new homes, re-hab homes and prepare pre-fab parts for building later. Volunteers converged from everywhere to work.

The Rev. Mr. Bird Dog is leading devotions for the group.


Thanks, President and Mrs. Carter, for helping us.


St. Casserole

RevGal Friday Five

From reverendmother, this week's Friday Five:

I am downtown on retreat this week. Most of the retreatants are from out of town, so I get to experience this place through the eyes of visitors. So in the spirit of tourism:

1. What is one place you make sure to take out-of-town guests when they visit? (you can be vague to preserve your anonymity if you like)

The Disaster Tour. This means driving on the beach road to show how horrific hurricane damage as far as the eye can see in both directions. My commentary goes like this:
"this is where we went to a "Toast to the Coast" in a big beautiful home and grounds. Gone. This is where I taught for two semesters. Gone. This is where my friend's home was. Gone. This is where the tennis courts were. Gone. This is where the media huddled after the storm. You can see why they chose such a devastated site. This is where they found our sailboat. Amazing that it went so far, isn't it?"
From October '05 to March '06, I got so emotionally sick giving this tour that I HATED every minute. The only time I got through it during that period without freaking out was when Songbird and I did it. She was so sympathetic, in the healing way, that I felt better afterwards.

2. When visiting another city or town, do you try to cram as much in as possible, or take it slow and easy?

If we are exhausted, we go slow. If we are rested, we go wild. If it's NYC, I go full speed, regardless.

3. When traveling, where are we most likely to find you: strolling through a museum, checking out the local shopping, or _________________?
Traveling with Mr. C. means art galleries, design stores and coffee shops. Travels with P. in NYC means we eat and shop. If I'm alone, I ferret out the thrift stores, charity shops and flea markets. Not many people enjoy digging through junk the way I do.

4. Do you like organized tours and/or carefully planned itineraries, or would you rather strike out and just see what happens?
If I want to see a general area, tours are good, at times. Otherwise, I just strike out. Getting lost is part of the pleasure.

5. After an extended trip, what do you find yourself craving most about home?
Seeing family and sleeping in my own bed. My home shower is better than any shower any where else.