#Rethink - August 2021
#Rethink - August 2021
IÂ almost missed the August #Rethink. Let me tell you why.
What Was I Thinking?
Hello friends! This month's newsletter is going to be a little different mostly because my mind has been filled with mathematics for the month of August. After a twelve year break I decided to go back to teaching. For the past four years I've been working almost full time as a Shipt shopper around my kiddos' schedule. Shipting gave me a ton of time to think, listen to podcasts, and process things I had read. It was a great job to combine with writing. Teaching not so much. At least not yet.
I was offered a 5th grade math position at the same school my children attend in the end of July. It's basically my dream job. However, I've spent the last month trying to organize a classroom, plan lessons, and learn all the procedures needed to go back to teaching. It's been more than a little crazy and there hasn't been any extra time.Â
I finished my first week of school on Friday and although I'm loving it, building in writing/reading time has been a challenge. I know that I will figure it out as I go! And honestly just having a real weekend this week has been amazing. (I've worked Saturdays for years.) Thanks for being patient. I will do my best to get you a real #Rethink newsletter in September on the third Saturday of the month.
The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill Podcast
with Mike Cosper
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Okay I didn't read it, I've been listening, but still. After eight episodes, people have built their opinions about this podcast. I know that it's not for everyone -- especially if your spiritual abuse or church trauma is pretty recent -- but I SO appreciate what Christianity Today and Mike Cosper are doing. By telling the truth about Mars Hill, they are exposing the rampant spiritual abuse and toxic leadership across our modern version of Christianity. They are validating the stories of the wounded. And they are pointing us back to the Real Jesus.
Last week Mike did a bonus episode with Josh Harris. They talked about celebrity culture within Christianity, law versus the real gospel, and deconstructed faith. Although Mike has gotten a lot of pushback from the x-evangelical crowd, I loved the things he said to Josh Harris about real Christianity. It sounded like something I would say. Even if you haven't listened to any other episodes, I'd encourage you to listen to episode 8. I cried. (Although that's not new because I usually cry in every Mars Hill episode.) It was beautiful.
We Can't Do It All and That's Okay
Someone I follow on Instagram celebrated a book contract this week. I found out as I laid in bed exhausted from my third day of teaching. It had been a day. I'd locked my whole class out of the classroom with me, thrown away yet one more something I was supposed to keep, and hadn't written my August newsletter. Seeing her success after less than a year of trying (I've been on this journey for nine years and can't even get an agent) was all it took. I burst into tears.Â
There are seasons in life.
I know for sure that God led me here, to this job, with these precious 5th graders. And if it takes a while to settle in that's okay. If I never publish my book that's okay. If I can't keep up on social media that's okay. And your season of life is okay too.
We are all pretty tired these days. Drained. Worn out. We can't do it all and we don't have to. We just take the next step. God has not forgotten us. He still has a plan. Ultimately it is going to be okay!
Thanks for taking a moment to #Rethink some of our religious traditions and beliefs. I know that it can be scary to deconstruct and reconstruct our faith, but finding the Real Jesus is absolutely worth it. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, or comments.
If you know someone who would love to #rethink, please share!
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