Sometimes I forget that I live in the Bible Belt. Really and truly, right on the buckle of it.
My spiritual life is spent with:
- people with whom I go to church (Episcopalians)
- online people who mostly tend to think the way I do (progressive, very liberal) - RevGals and so many others
Suffice it to say that these descriptors are different from many of my (also Christian) neighbors.
The photo was from my city's Prayer Breakfast this morning.
I saw it advertised in the newspaper, and somehow, I decided it was something that my husband and I should attend...as a civic function, because we own a small business, and because the speaker sounded like someone he would be interested in hearing.
This is the 12th annual such event. There were 400 attendees in the large ballroom of the university conference center. Almost every table was sponsored by a local business, bank, church, or other organization. We were at an "open table." I met some very nice people and had a great breakfast.
I was surprised to hear one of the opening speakers pray, "God, we do believe that you have made our great country specially blessed in the world, to reach and heal the world" or words to that effect. Glad everyone (should have) had their eyes closed for that because I am sure my face gave away my thoughts.
We sat with a fellow who spent 20 years as a missionary. As we started to eat, he suggested that we bless our food first (oops...Ken and I were just going ahead. Heathens!) He then asked Ken if he would like to ask the blessing. Ken deferred to me. I did so.
Our EFM theme this year is multi-culturalism. This was a big reminder for me that most of the Christians in my area think very differently about a lot of issues than I do...and that it's good for me to be exposed to that. I forget. I get very insular. I need to get out more.
Praying for peace.
