Of Dress Suits and The Lone Ranger

Many years ago a man whom my hubbie and I respected told us, "You can change churches like you change suits."  I've thought about that comment from time to time, just wondering why it didn't seem right.  Now that we are immersed in preparing for Germany, I understand my offense at the idea of just changing churches as the mood struck me.

We have committed to preparing to move to Germany.  Initially our plan had been to "self-support", to use our own funds for our expenses.  However, our sending mission made it clear that we needed a team for prayer and financial support.  Slowly, we have comprehended the risk of being a "Lone Ranger".  We have visited over one hundred people in the past five months, delighting in each opportunity to spend time with friends.  Some have become prayer partners and others have committed financial support.  Having people say "yes" to joining our team encourages, but the true joy rests in refreshing relationships with people we love.

Our Sunday School class leader asked Smitty and I to share recently regarding our process.  As we shared both the joys and the struggles of our transition, the class developed into supporters.  They offered help in packing, sorting, and cleaning our home for rental.  We felt overcome by the graciousness of our friends.  And we recognized the strength of the relationships we have spent nearly 30 years building.

What does all this mean?  The key word is "relationship".  Certainly we could have moved from church to church on a whim.  With God in our hearts, we would always have Him.  We could have attempted this move on our own; God never forsakes His own.  But relationship with fellow believers takes time and effort, and we would have missed the comfort of relationships with those with whom we have played, prayed, laughed and cried.  People with whom we have lived life here in Southern California, in Kenya, in Guatemala.  People who have invested their lives in us and in whom we have invested our lives.  Lone Rangers and suit-changers loose the essence of relationship.