I got up this morning looking forward to the weekend.  I got a call from my stepsister last night letting me know that they would be in town this weekend, and we would be able to spend some time together on Sunday.  I was very excited to see them again-- and the funny thing is, my ten yo son said just the other morning that he had had the best dream: that Aunt Becky and Uncle Chuck and Kelly and Connor had all just shown up at our house.  He said he was so sad when he woke up and it was just a dream.  It was fun to tell him that his dream was coming true! 

That's the good part, not the bad part...

After I read my Bible (I am still keeping my promise to read the Bible before I get online every day, btw), I jumped online to check emails and there was one waiting for me from a reader who was referencing an article I have out in the newest edition of the Above Rubies magazine.  I have gotten several of these emails and I expected this one to be like these-- nice letters from women who wanted to say that they liked what I had to say or identified with it in some way.  Instead, this one was a humdinger of a letter.  The woman said some very judgmental things about my place at home and how I should not be writing or speaking or basically doing ANYTHING outside of being a mom at home.  Well.  That just didn't sit right for me at all.  I walked away from the computer and thought-- I will not even dignify that email with a response.  The more I thought about it, the more I thought, THE NERVE.  She doesn't know me, my family situation or anything about where I'm at or who I am.  I had to write her back.  I also forwarded it to my husband, just so he could know that I was feeling very attacked.  Unbeknownst to me, he wrote her back too.  Y'all, I wish I could print here what he wrote, because believe you me, he acted as my defender and protector like never before. 

The pastor at Elevation talks alot about "well intentioned'" Christians who feel it is their right and duty to correct those who don't keep in step with their version of faith.  Believe me, being on the receiving end of it is not pretty-- and it sure can suck the wind right out of your sails.  I wish that woman would have thought about what she was saying before she took time away from her own family to compose that email to me.  I wish people would truly love each other as Christ did, instead of feeling like they are entitled to sit as judge and jury of those they call "sisters and brothers" in Christ.  There just is no place for this in the Body of Christ, as far as I am concerned. 

And so, that started my day on a very sour note-- and I have had a hard time shaking it ever since.  Add to that that I found out just a bit ago that a guy Curt used to play music with on the church praise band died last night.  He was just 29 years old.  I had just talked to him on the phone several weeks ago when he called our home looking for Curt.  Life is short-- and no one knows what day or hour will be our last.  And if you think about it, please pray for Adam's wife, Kate-- she is going to need our prayers as she faces this tragic, unexpected loss.  This young couple was headed for the mission field and now I am sure she is feeling very bereft.  She will need our prayers for God's comfort, wisdom and direction in the days and weeks ahead.