Robbie Curlee

I saved one of the best for last! Robbie and I met via her hubby Jason.  Jason and I met via twitter, and struck up a conversation about church. At the time I was asking a lot of questions about Children's Church and he suggested I talk to his wife and some of the staff at BAF. He said from the beginning that he thought Robbie and I would get along. Boy was he ever right! You may even have seen some of our crazy conversations on Facebook and Twitter! As I have stated before there are very few women I call a "Soul Sista", but I can honestly say that Robbie is one of those friends. I can't wait for the day that we get to "meet" in person. We have already stated that Jason and Marc had better watch out because we guarantee there will be a lot of chatting, shopping and eating! LOL

Stay in the lines......

What an honor to share a little piece of myself with all you wonderful ladies.   Thank you my dear friend for allowing me to share a piece of my heart with you all.  My heart if full.

When first asked to guest blog I have to admit my Jonah complex leaped up only to be silence shortly by my fearless side.  Yes before you ask I do have many facets of who I am in Christ....LOL  On a daily basis I never know which side will show up. 

I have the awesome privilege of being a part of something that is way bigger than myself.  My husband Jason & I pastor a Multi-site campus for Bay Area Fellowship.  I have to say it is one of the most creative out of the box ministries I have ever been a part of.  It's also safe to say we like to push the envelope so to speak.   I have three amazing daughters Shelby my 18yr who just graduated high school and is the peace maker in the family. Micaiah my 15 year who is the joy in our family never a dull moment with her and my sweet Kenzie who is 10, she is the lover of the bunch and always makes you feel like you can do anything.

Life is good these days and I have been on this amazing journey with God. I still remember being a small child in school and teacher after teacher saying the same thing to me; " stay inside the lines miss Trigo."  I'm guessing the formality was their way of letting me know they meant business.  I have to admit it had a counter affect.  It seemed the more they told me to stay in the lines the more I stayed out of the lines.  It's safe to say as the years progressed by undying need for self expression poured out in my hair styles (don't ask), my choice of clothing, and my excessive need to be myself. 

Many times ministry is a bit like that. We worry about what others will think or we worry about offending others so we play it safe...stay in the lines never take risk.  Or we try to be someone else or compare ourselves to the fresh face of ministry.  So we go around one week to week trying to be someone we're not.  We jump from mentor to mentor but never developing who we really are.  The person God called us to be.   I encourage you regardless of where you minister whether it's to a church of thousands or a church of twenty...BE YOU!  You are fearfully & wonderfully made and God made you just the way He wanted.  Your life is meant for greatness.  My balance & your balance will never look the same.  It's not supposed too.  We have to learn that we are not the same. Each one of us possesses a unique Gift, a direct DNA to who God created you to be.

I can honestly say I'm glad that I'm still that little girl in many ways today.  I still have trouble staying in the lines and I've never lost my zeal for coloring out of the lines.  Many days I am tempted to compare myself or change who I am.  I am human made of flesh working out my relationship with God daily.  I get tired, frustrated, hurt, offended, overwhelmed or a variety of emotions on a daily basis.  I am reminded daily that I need "Jesus" and that without Him I fall short. 

I pray you find your zeal, your passion, your gift and you use it for God's glory.  I pray you live out everyday full out for God and that when you lay your head you do it knowing you gave it your all.  You made a difference.  So don't be limited by the lines they are there just to guide you not to bind you. 

much love & prayer

Robbie Curlee

baf5points

Jeremiah 29:11