Sunday, February 16, 2014

Cathy—A Warrior Princess

Cathy Smith--A Warrior Princess

Cathy and Gordon

Allyson, Cathy, Haley and Gordon


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We decided to meet for a mid-morning breakfast at The Cairn. We sat at a small table pushed against a column and pulled our chairs close to one another so we might hear. The coffee shop boomed with music and laughter and the quiet under hush of conversations.

We hadn’t seen each other in years. We hadn’t engaged in real or lengthy conversation in over a decade. And yet there we sat. We somehow had managed in a strange way to keep up with each other.

Our daughters were friends years ago—playing with American Girl dolls and having tea parties. They spent nights at each other’s houses. They are all grown now.

And there we sat—both of us in new roles. In new places. Unexpected places. Our minds reeling from what God had done in us. During that hour and a half we talked non-stop. We laughed. Tears puddled and slid down our cheeks. The noise around us faded as we listened to what God had done and is doing in our lives.

I wish I had brought a camera. I so wanted to capture her expressions and her animations. The lighting and her hair shadowed her face, played on the curves and structure of it. Later I wanted so much for others to see the beauty played out there—dancing through her eyes. The sweetness of it.

She’s tall and strong and there’s a power that emanates from her. It’s a gentle power. Unassuming. Non-threatening. But I recognized it. Cathy is gifted. God has gifted her with administration and leadership. And I wondered—were we, at this table, sitting at a modern day Tree of Deborah?  Deborah intrigues me. I read her story often.  In Cathy I saw a vision of the judge of Israel.

We discussed women and ministry. We talked about feminism and the roles women play. Cathy explained that she did not desire for anyone to hear her roar. Yes, she is a woman. She is a leader. This is evident. She is moving in the realms of her giftedness.

Cathy’s desires are for women to understand that they are not weak damsels in distress. They are not women waiting in a tower to be freed or asleep waiting for a said-kiss. Women who belong to God are princesses she explained. But not the Disney versions. God’s women are warrior princesses. Daughters of royalty who are engaged in the battle of the ages. Women who stand in the gaps and fight in the flanks. And her ministry, her desire, is to communicate this two-fold truth to us. Cathy wants us to understand what it means to be a warrior princess.

Reluctantly we parted ways that day. I didn’t want to leave. The morning felt like walking into a refreshing oasis after being in the stone cold, dry dessert. How incredible it is to see someone walking and moving in their place of God-giftedness. What a delight to watch someone move in the places God has designed them to be with no excuses or explanations—just this is who God made me to be and what he has asked me to do. I left The Cairn encouraged.

I left ready not to roar, but to strap on my armor and enter the fray. I left ready not to feel entitled, but to embrace the responsibility I (we) have as daughters of the King.

We tend to downplay our gifts God has given us—sometimes out of false humility and sometimes out of fear. But, like Cathy, we need to learn to embrace and exercise our gifts.

When we do we will glorify him and build up the Body.    
 
Cathy and Gordon will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary this year! And a celebration it is! There’s a lot of love and laughter in their home especially when their two incredible daughters, Allyson and Haley, come home and share their adventures. Cathy and Gordon both serve in the ministry of a local church (Cathy is the executive minister and Gordon a teaching and pastoral minister). Cathy is also a breast cancer survivor!  Both Cathy and Gordon’s mothers are widows and their daughters grown, so as Cathy says, “we are definitely a part of that sandwich generation.
Again, please remember that these interviews are long. Please take time to read them. I continue to be amazed and inspired and convicted by these women’s words.
 
All italicized and parenthetical statements are comments Tamera has emphasized.  
 
1.  In this current season what would be your most comforting and your most challenging Scripture verse or passage?
Most comforting: Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  Although I am wired by God to be a “fixer” and it is my natural tendency to try and make things right for those who hurt or need help – I take comfort in this verse time and time again.  My inner peace is foundational only through Him and in times of anxiety or struggle – my heart hears this verse and the words from the hymn “It is Well” resonate in my head.  I can’t change the circumstances most of the time but I can change how I respond to them (Reread that piece of wisdom).  My response affects those around me and I’ve learned that even though it’s a tough day – tomorrow has new mercies.
Most challenging: Colossians 4:5-6 “Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”  I am challenged by the exhortation to make the most of EVERY opportunity!  I know God lays before us opportunities each day and it is our choice whether we recognize them, seize them and act on them.  In our daily routines – we can be so busy “doing” that we stop “being” and I am certainly guilty of that.  I hear Jesus whispering to me to “slow down – look at what I want you to see – have conversations and relationships with others.  You need them and they need you to be a part of their life at this time.”  I can be so time/task driven that I miss this.  I believe I was more of a “Martha” early on in my life but God has moved me into a “Mary” season.  I’m not really sure when that happened, but He did it when I wasn’t looking or expecting it (Now, isn’t that just like God!). 
2.      With the Scriptures the given name two other books which have contributed to the increase, growth and challenge of your faith?
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership – Ruth Haley Barton. This book caught my eye but then I realized while reading it there was a much bigger story for me to hear.  It deals with seeking God in the crucible of ministry.  My husband and I both serve in ministry and it can be easy to think you can handle it.  The book helped me to develop spiritual practices and disciplines to nourish my soul and to connect with Jesus in a way I had never done before. 
Redeeming Love – Francine Rivers:  I normally don’t read a lot of fiction and this is the ONLY book in my life that I have read more than once!  (it’s that time/task issue – I know how they end – why read it again J)  However, this book made me laugh, cry and weep openly for the characters she brought to life. It inspired me to read Hosea in the Bible over and over again.  Redemption is more than we can imagine and this book plays it well.  I lead a class of 11th grade girls on a regular basis and I push this book on them.  The grace shown after failures and the example of trials in one person’s life bring home the reality of all of our struggles. 
3. If you could have a conversation with your twenty-one year old self what would you tell her?
At 21 I was young, ambitious, getting married and thought I could conquer the world….I would tell myself I could be the warrior/princess I desired to be but to choose WHOM I would be serving first.  Success is not measured in dollars and materials possessions, it’s measured in relationships.  First and foremost with our precious Savior and Lord – second with our family. 
I would also tell her:
—It will all work out – maybe not the way you (I) designed it to be but God’s plan will prevail     and will be so much better than you can even comprehend.
—Don’t fret about the small stuff.
—Laugh at yourself more often.
—Love even more than you dare.
—Take more time take more time with your dad – he’ll be gone sooner than you know.
 
4. What do you think are your two strongest spiritual gifts?
Discernment and administration.  My discernment is strong and with God’s grace it has been used in ways I never thought of.  This ministry coupled with my past work experience and environment helped me see where Jesus was leading me to serve.  I’ve learned so much about the ministry of Administration in my current position of Executive Minister.  It took me several years to accept that what I was doing WAS ministry.  I see the open doors and the way to speak gently into someone’s life now.  Learning that process was hard at times and I made many mistakes along the way.  I’m thankful for encouraging words from others to stay the course and for being able to discover how God wanted to use me.  It’s still a new journey every day and I love what I do, but I love the journey even more.  
5. Our God has called you to a minister to his Body with these gifts. Where and how does God have you feeding and caring for his sheep?
Being a woman in ministry is hard at times and even difficult at others.  I have never been one to stand on a hill of “I am woman – hear me roar”’ because that’s NOT who I am.  Pride can get in the way of ministry so easily and I see that happen often.  I don’t want my ministry to be about me being a woman – I want it to be about me being a follower of Christ. (Amen, amen and amen!)  God is opening doors for me with other women and in trying to value where they are and how they are serving.  He has confirmed to me and through others that it’s okay to lead…but to lead like Jesus would. 
6. What one piece of encouragement would you offer the women reading this interview?
Take chances – put aside your feelings of insecurity.  Satan uses those feelings against women ALL the time.  What you need to hear is “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  Taking chances will not always get you into trouble and God is there if you do - but maybe, just maybe by taking chances you might open up a wonderful world of love, adventure, ministry opportunities and stronger relationships blessing you and others. (Precious Women, did you hear this?)