Go Play
My son turned 11 yesterday. I bring a birthday treat to his class each year to celebrate his special day. This year, he requested cookies from our favorite local bakery, Blackout Cookie Company.
When I arrived at the school, a group of kids played on the playground. Two girls rocked back and forth as they chatted on swings. One boy climbed up a pole and yelled out in triumph. Another kid hurled a football across the yard. Several kids rushed to catch it, nearly toppling each other. Girls twirled around a pole while others raced up the stairs of the play structure.
The scene was lively, full of adventure and wonder. I thought about how God intentionally created play. Children don't learn how to play. It is an innate instinct that emerges before they begin to walk. Babies grab any object in curiosity, babbling with laughter as they discover how to play with it.
Christmas Trees After Halloween
This year, my family became those people.
The people I used to talk about each Fall. The people who couldn't let Thanksgiving even get a hint of the spotlight before they rushed to put their Christmas decorations up. I mocked and judged them, irritated that they rushed the seasons and refused to remain in the present.
Or so I thought.
My husband often says pain is one of our greatest teachers. It took pain for me to change my perspective of these people and to join them in their Holly Jolly festivities.
In October, my pastor husband and I faced an avalanche of jaw-dropping ministry crises. Instantly propelling us into the role of spiritual ER doctors. Once we stabilized our patients, we exhaled a long sigh of relief and exhaustion. We are grateful to the Lord for sustaining us. But, we felt overwhelmed with preparing for the upcoming ministry season.
In our roles, we always think a season ahead. We already have the Christmas Eve service mapped out. Not because we want to rush the season. We need to prepare to lead our congregation through the holidays.
We usually put up our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. But the season has felt rushed the last few years.
This year, we decided to become those people.
Pastor, We See You
October ushers in changing leaves, pumpkin spice lattes, and cooler weather. It also ushers in a time to celebrate and appreciate our pastors. October is designated as Pastor Appreciation Month. Many congregations are unaware that such a month exists.
Most pastors are never going to publicly announce, “Hey guys, this month is Pastor Appreciation Month, and I can really use some encouragement!” As the wife of a pastor, my heart aches for my husband and other pastors who labor tirelessly for the LORD and often face more critiques and complaints than encouragement.
This month, I want to let each pastor out there know that you are seen by God and appreciated. One of my favorite shepherd leaders from the Bible is Moses. Moses was called by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and bring them into the promised land of Canaan. The task was heavy and filled with numerous obstacles, but God remained faithful to Moses.
Just like Moses, Pastors, you have been given the heavy task of leading people out of their spiritual bondage into restored fellowship and freedom with Jesus. You have faced similar obstacles, like Moses, but I want to remind you that God is faithfully walking with you. As pastors, you are already familiar with the life of Moses, but I want to encourage you by
Wild Hope
Last year sucked! 2023 began starry-eyed and bright, packed with hopeful expectations. In January, I stepped out on faith, asking God to fulfill a long-time dream of my husband and mine. God answered with abundance less than a week after my prayer.
This miracle set the tone for the coming year. A year of dreams fulfilled. As time progressed, the unexpected happened. A series of traumatic events, intense spiritual warfare, and loss engulfed my family. And the dream I stepped out on faith for never happened.
