Rice and Beans of Life: Lettin' My Hair Down

Home ... We all need a place where we can be real, let our hair down, say what

Soda Lobo ... better than Smash Burger!

we want and not worry about how it sounds (in English or Spanish), a place where we know we're loved unconditionally ... Home.

Ministry ... the period of service, the office, duties, or functions of a minister. It's what happens on the 'exterior' when your hair is in place, it all looks good, it's where you hold it together, it's what we do, it's what we're called to, it's where relationships are built ... Ministry.

Journey down the mountain with me as we leave our "place of ministry" and enter the front door of the cutest yellow house on the block ... Enter, at your own risk, into the Hoover household. The shoes are sitting beside instead of on the rug where they belong, passed by multiple times is the clean wash, folded neatly on the steps waiting to find their home upstairs in the closet, the toilet seat is left up, what do you expect in a house full of mighty men, the dishes are not rinsed to this Mama's standards, the face making mockery and yelling seem to be as common as the English language! This place my friends, is where the rubber meets the road ... this place, is where the dirt and ugliness of our souls finds life and breath and grows until it's this festering monster of "mental and verbal slander"! In an odd sort of way, I rationalize this behavior by saying "we all need a place to let our hair down." But why? ... Why can't we live as Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity ... That's what we do in Ministry, right? Why is it so hard to do at home? ... uhhhh, in case you're wondering, I don't have the answer!

The struggle is real folks, I'm not gonna lie. When all we knew as comfortable, familiar and 'ours' is stripped away, when we're together 24x7 and life as we now know it is different, new and uncomfortable, what comes forth? I wish I could say it's a kind answer that turns away wrath! For those of you who are listening outside, let me assure you ... Our home is a place of unconditional love, there is a deep sense of brotherly love and we've got each other's back ... sometimes we just need to let our hair down and let it all out. I guess I share these ramblings as a confession, challenge and encouragement ...

He's still working on me ... How loving and patient He must be ... There is Freedom in His grace

Praises

-Friends in Ministry that we can "let our hair down" with

-Save trip to and from Nicaragua, thankful to share the drive and friendship with Liz and Manu

-Connections with women from El Nido

-Alex Grant's counsel and sensitivity

-Date night with Joseph ... he talked NONSTOP ... yes I said Joseph

-Home school relationships, connections for the boys

-Friends to laugh, cry and pray with

-Health

John 1:16 "From the fullness of His grace, we have received one blessing after another."

Prayers