So, to start the week out right, Jenny and I went out for breakfast on Monday morning. She is a teacher as well, as she has her MA in Communication Disorders and does speech therapy with lower-income children in North Dallas. We met at her apt. and then hung out at Corner Bakery for some Lenten cranberry oatmeal and coffee:)
It was here that we had one of the best theological discussion I’ve had in a while. Just as a background note, Jenny is not yet Orthodox. Her entire family including her two sisters, brothers, parents, and extended family all became Orthodox around 5 years ago. She, however, was not yet ready and has been attending St. Seraphim on an off again. She only recently became serious about joining the church and committed herself to being a catechumen a few months ago.
This makes for an odd and interesting mix of conversation between us. Jenny knows a lot more about the ways and practices of Orthodoxy, while still knowing what it is like to be an outsider, not having grown up in the Orthodox Church her whole life. However, I love that we are not able to merely relate, but also that we are able to enlighten and deepen each other’s observations about the practical side to the spiritual life of the church.
Now, this is a powerful and emotional subject for me, because I have always found that theological discussions rely heavily on the type of knowledge read in books. [Read more…]