The Coolness Factor

Community is important to me. I really want to feel more connected to all of you, which is why I have been so happy to help get this project up and running. It makes me smile.

But last week I suddenly had doubts about my participation. Who am I to be contributing to this; assuming that I have something to say that that matters to anyone out there? I posted a silly story I wrote about a recent sleepless night. And then I got a little freaked out! I mean, who cares? WHAT was I thinking? What if you think I have little spiritual depth to be using this space to write about a lack of sleep?

Let's face it; we all deal with "the coolness factor" in our lives. Any group or organization has this, no matter how much you try to avoid it. Let me be the first to say that CA has about the lowest level of it that I have experienced in my entire lifetime of being in contact with Christian organizations. But it's out there, isn't it?

Can you relate to any of these feelings?
You sometimes feel a bit intimidated in the dining room at staff conference deciding where to sit.
You think that probably most women in CAI are more spiritual/better organizers/better Moms and wives/better churchplanters/better friends/better dressed/in better shape/skinnier/taller(OK, in my book that does apply :) ) etc.
It's a little frightening to be vulnerable and honest about where you are in your heart of hearts. You're not quite sure it's OK to hate where you live, dislike your team-mates, feel little or no connection to God some days, or be impatient with your family.
The list could go on down the page.

My point is this: We are ALL cool in God's sight, and that means that we can feel like we are cool with each other too. Yes, there are women with more experience than you, or who have skills in different areas. We are a group of talented and awesome women!

One of the things I love the most about CAI is the level of "realness" and grace. I grew up as an MK. Let me tell you, those things were not modeled well in my setting. I highly doubt that any leader in the mission I grew up with would ever admit to spitting on the windshield of a car that tried to run me down (THANKS HUD! :) ) I'm not trying to put my childhood mission down, I still love it dearly. But for the first time in 35 years I am learning the freedom of being REAL and finding out how exhilarating and freeing that feels. It doesn't come easy to most of us to feel comfortable risking our hearts with exposure.

So I want to encourage you to jump in with both feet! Let's make this a safe place, where we set aside our fears of the coolness factor. We all have something unique and IMPORTANT to contribute. I can't wait to hear from all of you!

Blessings on you today! You are all very special to me.