There is one more thing that comes with storms that most of us often overlook because it is underneath the surface: moisture. Even though storms can bring noise, destruction, anxiety, and stress they also bring moisture.

God had retaught and affirmed me that this week was designed for me to be exhausted, and that being exhausted was going to aid in God be glorified. God was calling me to lead from exhaustion...which was actually my biggest fear going into the week.

Dear Church, tread lightly. I believe that we are at, or near, a very pivotal part of the history of Christianity. How we handle these tough situations and differences between us will say so much more about us than the policies we inevitably land on.

The harsh reality is that many of us struggle with acceptance due to the fact that we have only projected "half-true" versions of ourselves. People have accepted these "half-true" versions of us, and that helps...but it doesn't make us feel wholly loved and truly accepted.

Stevie and I have always struggled with the "pastor's wife" cliche and expectations subconsciously and consciously put on her because of my calling. We believe that God's calling on my life is not placed upon her, but rather she gets to choose to participate in it as God leads her to.

It was a long and grueling journey of silence, humility, and repentance. It takes a lot for a person to throw away everything they thought they once knew, but I needed to remove dogma to make space for doubt. It was through doubt that I found faith and was led by the Spirit to a new place I was unable to go on my own.