The Jesus Freak in All of Us
Truth be told, there’s a little Jesus in all of us. I’m hoping that doesn’t freak you out.
For nearly a decade I’ve been blogging about motherhood, faith, organization, prematurity, rockin’ birthday parties and Texas Aggies. I’ve been sassy and honest, vulnerable and occasionally witty. But above it all, I hope I’ve been authentic. I hope I’ve met you where you are, in a judgment-free zone.
Often, when I write a post, I have a specific person in mind that I’m trying to reach. And, when I write the hard posts, those are the ones where I dig deep and ask myself, “What would I say if this person was sitting at my dining room table?”
I’m praying, hard, that you feel welcome here. Always. Maybe you’re not Catholic or unchurched, or you’re suffering from infertility, perhaps you’re a Longhorn {gasp} or you hate organization. Or, maybe you just prefer Chuck E Cheese over a home birthday party and you drink Diet Coke instead of the 23 flavors. Whoever you are, whatever station in life you’re at, please know I want you here.
I share all that because of a beautiful event Scott and I were privileged to attend this weekend. We saw Matt Maher in concert. If you’re unfamiliar with Matt, he’s a Christian artist who has one heck of a talent writing songs. When Pope Francis participated in World Youth Day in Rio, Matt played before the Holy Father. His music is relevant, upbeat, inspiring and awesome. But there was something he said at this weekend’s concert that keeps coming back to me.
As Christians, we should always be looking for job replacements.
In other words, instead of putting people down and being jealous of their accomplishments and accolades, we should be lifting them up. It got me thinking how many times I’ve said an off-hand comment about a situation when it just really didn’t need to be said. How many times have I missed an opportunity to let the Holy Spirit shine through me?
Of course, you can’t lift someone else up if you aren’t confident about who you are and how God made you.
As Scott and I stood in the audience and sang off-key, loudly, and with total joy, I took a moment to look around. None of us has it figured it out. None of us is “getting it right.” We’re all just sinners in need of grace.
Let this be your daily “go rock today like the boss you are.” I’m looking for some job replacements. You?
Kathryn, I have been reading your blog since just before Gianna was born. Your writing has been helpful, motivating and inspiring. I don’t know when it happened but I have began to notice an increased spiritual grace in your writing. Whatever you are doing, keep doing it. Your passion for the things you write about make a difference.
I saw Matt last year in Dallas and I remember feeling so rejuvenated when I left his concert. It was definitely an amazing night of worship. I can’t wait for the opportunity to see him again!
I had never seen the video you linked to of him talking about singing at World Youth Day. Wow! It brought me to tears.
I’m an unorganized, Jewish, former Red Raider, and needed fertility treatments to conceive. Then I landed my happy, Dr. Pepper loving rear end in the same NICU where Luke was and those two threads of commonality are all it took to turn me into a “fan.”
As usual, nothing about your posts that don’t directly apply to my life would turn me away. There is something to learn from every situation, even if it’s a nugget of wisdom someone gleaned from a concert that my life would never lead me to attend. Regardless of religious persuasion, “instead of putting people down and being jealous of their accomplishments and accolades, we should be lifting them up.”
Awesome blog!
I loved reading your stuff on Blessed Is She.
Love all the way from Australia☺️
xo
Love me some Matt Maher! One of my absolute most favorite Christian artists! So glad you got to see him in concert… He’s fantastic!
My husband and I love Matt Maher! We’ve seen him in concert a couple of times, and he is awesome, and a fantastic song writer. Thanks for sharing!
Oops typo in my name.