The Church & Steeple - Evaluating Life's Relationships

Good morning, Dear Friends,

I hope you had a blessed Memorial Day Weekend!

My post for today includes an impactful reflection that I felt compelled to share. Were you ever taught the church steeple nursery rhyme? “Here is the church. Here is the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people.”

I am also reminded of the adage "birds of a feather flock together."

As I started writing this particular blog post, this nursery rhyme automatically surfaced. It’s amazing how our brains act as sponges at such a young age. This rhyme is simple and happy. In general, it has 3 concise main points: 

• This is a Church 

• It has a beautiful steeple 

• Look inside and see all the people 

The interactions we share with others help shape us into the people we are today. We have all heard of the nature vs. nurture debate. We are formed by the gift of life that comes from God and our parents. Our environment also molds us - the nurture part. In the Cabrini movie released earlier this year, Cabrini tells her fellow sisters,

“We don’t get to choose how we come into this world, but God gave us the freedom to choose how we live in it.” 

I think that is a beautiful high call for each and every one of us. We have a choice, and it is our responsibility to choose how we live in this world. We are built for community—we are nurtured by community.

While it might not be the easiest task, it opens our perspective to reflect on the relationships we have with family members and friends. Just as families are called to build their domestic church, we are called to do the same as members of the body of the One Universal Church. 

Picture this:

Your church holds a variety of people. The parishioners (people) within your church are all seated at different places throughout the church, which represents different levels of intimacy. 

• Let us start at the back of the church; those seated in the very back pews are mere acquaintances. You have a “hi and bye” type of relationship with them, where you exchange polite pleasantries but not much more. 

• The middle section of your church is filled with people you occasionally see—enough to catch up and carry on a conversation, but not a super deep connection. 

• Then, there are those individuals in the front pews. These are the people you speak with regularly. They love and support you and pour goodness into your life. 

• Next, you have those seated at the wings of the altar—this area is reserved for a select few, only 2-3 very special people. They know your innermost self and every hope and prayer you might have. They encourage your faith and lead you closer to Christ. 
  

• The final spot brings us to the fountain of mercy, Jesus, who is placed in the Tabernacle. This holy place is reserved for Christ alone. He is the keeper of your heart; not one person will understand or love you better than Him.

Take time to Reflect:

What does your church look like? Not everyone can be seated at the front pews or off of the altar's wings. There are specific spots for everyone, and Christ places some people in your life for only a particular season.

Are those seated in your church causing pain and suffering because they are sitting in the wrong spot?

Is there a friendship or relationship that needs to have better boundaries?

Take inventory of your relationships. What is working? What is not working?

Where do you take your pain? 

Where do you go with the pain that came from a hard conversation with a loved one or friend?

Do you hold a grudge? 

Do you bury it deep inside and never acknowledge it? If you do not come before the cross to be transformed - you transmit that pain to others. 

Is Christ knocking on the walls of your heart?

Do you hesitate to encounter the Lord due to shame, fear, or anger? Take inventory of those feelings. 

Give Him permission to knock down the walls you have built and to take full ownership of your heart. There are no words to explain the liberating freedom that comes from surrendering to the Father and asking him to come to rest in your heart. 

Matthew 11: 28-30

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Lady K’s One Thing: 

New music! There are several songs I have been jamming to lately to get me in the mood for SUMMER!

Check out my 4th of July Playlist on Spotify for great music to help get you in the spirit of Summer! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2EhhBZ7yD5EPRhld95XkOE?si=5b1ce2d2c74e43f2

Your Friend,