Pigeon Holes

Homing pigeons amaze me. They can be transported anywhere and will always fly home to their roost.

Before our wonderful technology they were used to send messages. Nowadays they are mostly only used at wedding celebrations.

They not only know to fly home, they each know their own particular roosting space, called a pigeon hole. 

A pigeon hole is also used to describe cubby holes or spaces in a desk or work area. This way we can sort our work into orderly stacks based on priority.

It amazes me and makes me proud because as a mother, I take great pride in the premise of "a place for everything and everything in it's place." I kind of live by the "pigeon hole theory." I like to know where things are. I often joke that I like to be able to locate any item quickly in the dark, if I had to. Although I can't imagine any scenario where it is dark and I might need my serrated scissors or staples for the stapler or the green wash clothes. 

I call it being organized.  (my family would use other words.)

However, I strongly believe that in relationships we get in trouble and a whole lot of hurt if we try to "pigeon hole" people into neat little categories.

I recently spent time with a person that was very hurt because they were in a place where there were opportunities open in 3 specific areas. This person clearly specializes in one of those ares and has a passion for a second area yet they were offered and strongly encouraged to take the third opening. The person was not even being considered for their passion or skill. That "pigeon holing" crushed a spirit. 

How often have I tried to mold someone into fitting my expectations? Have I wounded feelings because I want people to do what I want them to do?

Many years ago at church a paper was passed around with certain services that needed done in the church building. You were encouraged to sign up for something. By the time the list got to me the only job left was nursery. 

Well, that job is not really in my skill set nor my passion. To be blunt, I am not nice enough. Nope, I'm afraid I would offend parents and kids wouldn't like me. I just have different expectations of little kids and less patience than some other people. However, I am great at organizing, planning, mowing, cooking, and other things. So, should I sign my name beside Nursery duty? Or don't sign up at all and then automatically go into the "doesn't want to serve" pigeon hole? Argh! I did want to serve.

I have heard it said that you don't have to be qualified to be called by God, God qualifies the called. 

Yes, I believe that,  but was He calling me to nursery duty?

I wish I were wise enough to have the appropriate, encouraging words to offer my friend. I would like to think and believe that your church would recognize and appreciate the talents and skills of the people and use you where you would love to serve.  

Well, what did I do? I did not sign up for nursery duty. I signed my name in several other places even though the spaces were already filled. I did get to serve and work alongside others in areas where I feel I have the most to offer. 

For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:14-31 NASB)

We are not pigeons.

PS Too often people quit church because they do not know how to effectively communicate their needs. It would be awesome if each and every church member were perfect and could intuitively know each need. But elders, and preachers are not given mind reading gifts, neither is any church member. People can only respond to needs if they are aware of the needs.

Yes, it's true that most people come, at first, because they are broken and hurting. 

We, as church members, maybe should be better at communicating with the new people.