Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Definitions

Last Sunday, we had an afternoon service at Morning Star. I wasn't there since I was at work for the Palm Sunday service here. During the Morning Star service, Pastor had a time when each family introduced themselves for the benefit of the newer attendees. About six people now, including Pastor, have informed me that he referred to me as the "matriarch" of our house of single women. My favorite version was Barb's. Annie asked her what matriarch meant. "I think it means 'old maid', " she replied. It doesn't. But the variations of what it does mean are funny. Courtesy of dictionary.com, we have the following:
1. the female head of a family or tribal line.
2. a woman who is the founder or dominant member of a community or group.
3. a venerable old woman.
4. a woman who rules a family, clan, or tribe.
5. a woman who dominates a group or an activity.
6. a highly respected woman who is a mother.
7. a female head of a family or tribe
8. a feisty older woman with a big bosom (as drawn in cartoons)
Obviously, some of these do and others do not apply.

However, the comment made me contemplate this interesting housing situation that we have had for four months now. We're an complex and varied group of women, each one so unique. We each have sin problems and life issues. We each have strengths or areas in which we excel. Without any one of the mix, it really wouldn't be the same household. There's me: older, dominant, and feisty actually do apply. However, the only one who thinks I'm the mother is Buddy, our neurotic dog. The girls are very patient with me. Sometimes, I'm too bossy or get crazy ideas or am a grump. There's Melody: creative, compulsively neat, and fun. If we didn't have Mel, sometimes we would run out of important items or live in extreme mess or miss out on themed meals. There's Barb: emotional, spiritual, and loud. Barb thinks that I don't like her loud singing and dancing, but, just because I don't do it, doesn't mean I won't miss it. Barb is visibly growing in maturity. There's Annie: practical, quiet, and adventurous. Annie tackles big projects that everyone else wants to ignore, and she sees things from a viewpoint that challenges the norm. Perhaps in my own selfish design, I would choose to have my own little house where everything was always my way and quiet. I would miss out tremendously. This house of friends has been a great challenge and blessing to me for the entire four months. I hate seeing my own selfishness as it is displayed so often when I live with others, but I'm thankful that I can repent. We have the perfect opportunity to practice love, forbearing, and giving right in our own home. I am challenged by the others' examples, and I enjoy the fellowship. We run around on our own schedules, but then we come together to recharge. We gather in our livingroom to pray together or in the TV room to watch a favorite show. In spite of the things about each other that drive us nuts, we have more in common through Christ to hold us together.

Triple Aunt

For the past four years, I have been the aunt of one small, very unique boy named Austin Lake. He is a blessing to me. He makes me laugh, he impresses me with his words of wisdom, and he's just so stinkin' cute! Lake reminds me so much of his mom, one of my favorite sisters. :-) My only regret about Lake is that I live too far away to see him often.

Now, a new chapter is opening up in our family. Beth and Brad are adding little McKenzie or Heath to the group in September. I'm really looking forward to this event. Even in their short marriage, I have loved watching all that God has done in their lives and hearing of the growth in them. This little one will enjoy being part of their home, and also I will enjoy the payback of watching Beth take care of a baby instead of being the baby of the family. More :-)

Added to all this excitement, Leah and Chad and Lake are adding baby "Ernest", long story-don't ask- to their family in November. I have more to say, but little time to do more than express my joy at this great news. Let us all pray for wisdom for Leah and Chad to name the child something that he/she will appreciate as he/she grows up!