IMPACT!

We were singing a song in church last Sunday. It is not one I am particularly fond of. I know, that sounds sacrilegious, doesn’t it? I smiled as they congregation started singing it, I closed my eyes, and focused on the words.   By the time we were done singing, I was praising God in my heart for the message he had given to me through that song. 

It was calling women from the church to minister to broken hearts, assuring them of God’s healing power!  It reminded me of the impact we can make for God’s Kingdom in the lives of other women. As a pastor’s wife, I see many hurting women walk through the doors of the church. I see how overwhelming life can be for them. They need a listening ear, someone who can show them where the healing begins.

This section of scripture has proved itself true over and over in my life. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7(KJV) ³ Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; ⁴ Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. ⁶ And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. ⁷ And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

I have been able to recognize that the reason I have gone through certain tribulations was so that I could be equipped to help women who have come across my path that are going through the same situation.  I was able to relate to them on a more personal level. I was able to encourage them to keep going and that they were going to be victorious in the end! We all need to be encouraged.

I was having a hard time understanding verse 6 wondering how  our affliction could be for the consolation and salvation of others until I had dinner with a new friend one night. She had been in a horrible car accident when she was a teenager. I asked her if she had ever asked God, “Why?” Without hesitating, she told me that she hadn’t ever questioned it and later found out that because of her story, other people came to salvation. It all came together!  My husband has reminded me a couple of times through our trials that people would be watching how we would react. That seems like a lot of pressure at times, but when you consider how it may impact another person’s life and walk with God, it is worth being under that pressure.

Make an impact in your own sphere of influence! Lately God has given me the awesome opportunity of making an impact in the lives of children, many of them little girls (our future women. I love that God has given me the privilege of being able to introduce these little ones to the Lover of their souls and look forward to watching them grow so that they can their faith with others!

IMPACT! 

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A Day in the Life of a Pastor's Family

We have the most blessed Sundays! We start out in the mornings with the privilege of getting our grandchildren ready for church as they get to stay Saturday nights with us. Having mostly boys, I have not had much practice on doing hair on little girls so I take great pleasure in putting pony tails in or braids. Our oldest granddaughter is such a huge help for us and takes care of the little ones as people first begin arriving at church so that I can meet and greet.

We get to sing praises to our Lord. After announcements, the children from babies to teens are all dismissed to class and I get the opportunity to teach the elementary kids. We have great discussions. Their minds are sponges and they are retaining everything from the lessons! I enjoy witnessing how their brains process the information that is given to them.

After church, we get to have more chatting time with our brothers and sisters in Christ. As people filter out, then the lunch comes on the table for the handful of people that stay for the leadership class where we really get to chew on the meat of the Word of God.  Iron sharpening iron helps the adults to dig through the truths of the  Old Testament. My teenage boys are such troopers (and many times one of the girlfriends). They hang out after church to watch the grandkids for a couple of hours during this time.  They never complain about it and they know it helps us so much.

After class, we spend a bit more time with our babies before having to take them home. It is not always easy leaving them even though we will see them again in a few more days.   As soon as we drop them off, we head for a friend's church for a time of prayer or back out to our own church when we offer prayer groups. We get to end our busy day in a sweet hour of prayer and it rejuvenates our exhausted souls.

It is the day in the life of a pastor's family. We love each smiling face we see during the day. We cherish each hug that offers encouragement. We trust when God says His Word does not return void and no matter what age of person we come into contact with on this day, we pray that God's love shines through us.  We try to stay energetic as we minister to others this day, but once we get home we know that no matter what time it is, dropping into bed is completely acceptable. My husband is completely wiped out but knows this is his time to now relax as he looks forward to Monday being his day off to recuperate.

We love our "job"!

Jesus loves me this I know!

"Jesus loves me this I know 

for the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to Him belong.

They are weak but He is strong.

Yes! Jesus loves me!

Yes! Jesus loves me! 

Yes! Jesus loves me!

The Bible tells me so!"

How can one simple truth also be so profound.   Jesus loves ME! I know me and there are many times that I am not very lovable. Yet Jesus LOVES me!  It is almost too big to wrap my mind around at times.   I have many friends and family members that love me, but to think that JESUS loves me is overwhelming.  A man, a brother, my Savior, my King who chose to die for me says that He loves me. 

Isn't it funny that everything we are told in the Bible all stems back to something that we learned when we were probably three years old.   Why should we go into all the world to make disciples of all nations? Because Jesus loves me.  Why should I love my neighbor as myself? Because Jesus loves me.  Why should I love God with all my heart, soul, mind, strength? Because Jesus loves me. 

If we truly understood all that Jesus has loved us through, we would not hesitate to love others through everything they are going through.   Forgiveness becomes easier when we realize the things from which we have been forgiven. 

Go out today and show the love of Jesus to others. Show them what true love looks like. Introduce them to the One who loves them!