It is that time of year; when the weather gets a bit colder and we exchange
shorts for blue jeans. Summertime brings out clothing for warmer weather, but
as the summer heat gives way to cooler fall evenings, it is more in keeping with
my body’s comfort zone to pull out some faded blue jeans to wear. It is
interesting to me just how comfortable a pair of old faded blue jeans can be. I
have a few pairs that have been with me now for decades. Yes, decades! Some
are almost white at the knees, having been washed so many times that there is
very little blue still present in the fabric. But, I keep them because they are
soooo… comfortable. The fabric, once stiff when it was purchased, has now
become soft and pliable. Over time, those jeans have molded to my body and tell
a story of the many places I have been to and of vacations spent where blue jeans
are the best choice of clothing to wear.
Those faded blue jeans fit well and feel great. Most of us realize, however,
that you don’t get a pair of comfortable faded blue jeans unless you wear them.
Yes, the first time you put on a pair of blue jeans they are awful. Patiently, you
wear those blue jeans in; and then one day, they are incredible.
Together, we are as a parish like a pair of new blue jeans right now. We
have purchased this pair of blue jeans and they are still a bit stiff and
uncomfortable. Still, all that is needed is some time. Time to wash out the
stiffness and time for those jeans (Parish) to get to know each other better. To
mold the ministry to the bodies that we are in Christ, of course this is not going to
be easy and that is the point. It is extremely hard to do. But we know something
about faded blue jeans. We know that it is worth it to not throw those new jeans
away, because it is from those new jeans that faded blue jeans are born.
Patience! It sometimes comes down to this simple good advice. Be
patient! The other day when we gathered together for the picnic, I was a bit
apprehensive. Don’t ask me why, I just was. Then, I watched as people started
coming in and sitting next to each other and the quiet space became disquieted
as we turned and started conversing with each other. It was reminiscent of my
first day of school. Sitting next to someone I didn’t know and suddenly
discovering that we had something in common, and washing away my fears and
replacing apprehension with a sense of community. Oh, to be a child again!
So, here we are going into the fall. Time to put some of the stiffness away,
time to wash out some of the blue and find common ground and enjoy the
comfort of knowing that we are creating a faded blue jean kind of ministry. A
ministry molded to who we are and what God is calling us to become. Praise be
to God!
Blessings, Pastor Jeff