Empty Shoes

This past Saturday we did one of those Progressive Dinner's. We emptied our shoes at three different houses and shared some food and some laughs with three different "IT" couples. It was interesting to see our shoes and coats clog the doorway at each house as if to say, we are are slowing down enough to spend some quality time together...we aren't going anywhere...we are here to stay for a while. And when you do that, you never know what you are going to get. We ate, but it wasn't really about the Dinner part. And we progressed but it wasn't really about the Progressive part either. It was about spending time laughing with and listening to one another.
Hors' D'oeuvres at the Hlads. Pastor Tom and Chris Hlad got us started with some munchies. They shared with us about their days in the ministry, Chris's brussel sprout SNAFU and their love for hosting lots of people. I think that was invite to come back for seconds.
Stroganoff at the George's. Pastor Denny and Carol George kept the tummies happy with Beef Stroganoff and mixed veggies. We gathered around as they shared their funny stories about Denny walking "her" dog and how he inadvertently made fun of a gift that she had intended to get for him. They talked about how laughter and just being normal have allowed them to handle the pressures of ministry while raising 4 boys.
Dessert with the Lanes. Bruce and Karen Lane opened up the party room for us to come and enjoy some make-your-own-sundaes. They kept the room very light with their fun stories of how they met, what attracted them to each other and how Bruce proposed. Their three kids were present to make sure that their answers were extra honest.

We all need some places where we can empty our shoes for a rest. Places where we can share warm food and a good laugh. Places where it is safe to be yourself and not fear judgment. We got a taste of such places last Saturday night.