Like many jobs that many people have, being a pastor is the type of position that you never get away from because there are always things going on. You are always thinking about: situations at church, conversations that were had, meetings that are up and coming and a genuine concern for those in your congregation. This past week has been challenging to say the least and my emotions have been all over the place. Because I am NOT seeking a pity party, NOR am I seeking pats-on-the-back, but rather to give thanks, I will leave it at that.
So this morning as part of my Sabbath I'm catching up on my Daily Walk Bible reading and was reading through 2 Thessalonians. The following verses were a huge blessing and encouragement to me:
16 Now
may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and
by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, 17 comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say (2 Thess. 2:16-17, NLT)
and also
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all (2 Thess. 3:16), NLT).
About 10 minutes later, after praying about these verses and how they related to current church happenings, the UPS truck drives up and drops off an odd-shaped styrofoam package on our front steps. Because it is 68 degrees right now (woo hoo!!) I had the storm door open and the screen door still on and so I went out and found a package from Omaha Steaks. On the address label was this kind note...
"Thank you for your friendship. You feed me so now I can feed you! A blessed Christmas to you" and the note was signed by a friend who is a member at our church.
As I was writing a thank you note to this person my eyes welled up with tears because this person's thoughtful gift was that needed "comfort, strength, and peace" that I read about earlier in 2 Thessalonians.
No matter what your vocational calling is we all have our challenges to deal with and we all need to know we are appreciated for the job that we are trying to do. Who can you thank today at your workplace, or church, or at home for the job they are trying to do? Who in your life needs to be encouraged? Who in your life needs a note of appreciation for how they have blessed your life? I know I am EXTREMELY grateful for what I received today and will be sure to pass that along to this friend. How about you?
"May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all" (2 Thess. 3:18).
and also
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all (2 Thess. 3:16), NLT).
About 10 minutes later, after praying about these verses and how they related to current church happenings, the UPS truck drives up and drops off an odd-shaped styrofoam package on our front steps. Because it is 68 degrees right now (woo hoo!!) I had the storm door open and the screen door still on and so I went out and found a package from Omaha Steaks. On the address label was this kind note...
"Thank you for your friendship. You feed me so now I can feed you! A blessed Christmas to you" and the note was signed by a friend who is a member at our church.
As I was writing a thank you note to this person my eyes welled up with tears because this person's thoughtful gift was that needed "comfort, strength, and peace" that I read about earlier in 2 Thessalonians.
No matter what your vocational calling is we all have our challenges to deal with and we all need to know we are appreciated for the job that we are trying to do. Who can you thank today at your workplace, or church, or at home for the job they are trying to do? Who in your life needs to be encouraged? Who in your life needs a note of appreciation for how they have blessed your life? I know I am EXTREMELY grateful for what I received today and will be sure to pass that along to this friend. How about you?
"May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all" (2 Thess. 3:18).
Uncle--first of all, thanks for the Advent package! We loved opening it and looking through it. Lots of good stuff in there :)
ReplyDeleteSecond--Mom told us briefly about what is going on...we're praying mightly for you and Cari. God's plan is faaar bigger and greater than we can see. Hold tight to that truth.
Hugs!!!