For those of you interested in writing, here’s an interview with Anne Lamott. I learned about it through the Writing Life newsletter which I receive. I have Anne’s book ‘Bird by Bird -some instructions on writing and life.’ Like many books I own which I refer to time and time again, I’ve highlighted many passages. I don’t know if it was in that book or another interview but I remember Anne saying was that she was, ‘loved into the kingdom.’
Certainly in the acknowledgements in ‘Bird by Bird’ she says – ‘I do not think I’d even be alive if not for the people of St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Marin City, California.’ She realized that when she first walked into that church, she was welcomed and accepted, even if she didn’t quite fit the image of a perfect Christian. But do any of us?
What a testimony to the love and acceptance she found at that church. Can you say the same about your church? When people walk into your church are they made to feel welcome, made to feel they belong? That friendliness and acceptance is one of the things I fist noticed about the church we now belong to.
Anyway, I spent a lovely time listening to the interview with Anne Lamott. She said in the course of her interview that she ‘hates to miss church’ when she’s traveling or doing speaking engagements. I can associate with that. That’s how I feel when something takes me away from my church. Is that how you feel?
Anne Lamott comes across as an honest, vulnerable person who is not afraid to speak the truth even if people don’t like what they hear. Surely it is better to have someone who is real than the person who appears to always be the perfect Christian with no problems, doubts or hassles, always looking like they have their act together?
Anne was raised to believe ‘Christians were idiots.’ It took a lot before she was able to put aside that upbringing and accept the freedom Jesus offers. Now she says life is nothing ‘if God is not at the center of it.’ I agree. Do you?
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