My heart is grieving right now....for a friend, for a fellow laborer, for a fallen pastor. These beautiful "feet washers" are broken and hurting this Christmas. It shouldn't be so. Maybe I feel their pain so deeply because I was once in their ranks. I've witnessed one too many times "good Christian folk" peck the life right out of God's man. It is just so incredibly shameful. Years of pent up bitterness are stuck in my throat.
Wayne was in seminary for FIVE very long years. I used to think that those days were a time of real trial. He went to school full time and worked two jobs. We had three small children and I ran a daycare out of our very little apartment. The kids and I stood in a food line every Saturday morning. We got our clothes from the "sharing shop" on campus. We were thrilled to find the day old doughnuts at the bread ministry! I thought the day he graduated was probably the next best thing to the rapture. But I was wrong. Those days might have been long, but they were full of sweetness. We forged friendships there that will last through eternity. Back then, we were still full of dreams and possibilities.
Too many preacher-eaters later, I am left a little cynical. My heart is broken for a pastor and his wife that I have never even met. Their entire ministry is gone. Blameless or not, another light for our Lord has been dimmed. This is a time to mourn.
I don't know who even reads my blithering blog. But if you are reading this, would you please take just a minute and pray for your pastor and his family. I can guarantee that as much as you love him, there are others in your fellowship who would revel in his misery. Pray for them, pray for them, pray for them!
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. John 13: 14-15
How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace. Romans 10:15
We, too, have seen the vileness of the "brethren" poured out too many times. It makes it so hard to trust, love, and be a part of another body. You look at your brother with a cautious eye when we should be loving and serving each other. We wear our masks and shields and never become part of a body of believers. We act like bumpers in a pinball machine and deflect everything and everyone to protect ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI am going to pray for my pastor right now, and my friends in the ministry.
Love your heart Reagan!
I love reading your blog, they are very uplifting, encouraging, and ALWAYS a good reminder to me that there is always room to be better, stronger, nicer....as a mom, a wife, a christian. Who knew that my next door neighbor from Liberty way back when would touch my life so many years later......
ReplyDeleteI understand...
ReplyDeleteReagan, I always enjoy reading your blog. You have very clear vision in the different situations you write about. I am certainly praying for our pastor(s), the unnamed pastor in your blog, and you and your family.
ReplyDeleteMrs. B
Reagan, you hit the nail on the head. We need to continuously pray for and lift up our pastors! First and foremost they are sinners just like you and me. Secondly they are the focal point for satan. He doesn't want them to be successful. Lastly the people they minister to, they either put their pastor on a pedestal, forgetting they are human or they expect them to pull the full of a church o their back and when they collapse, they kickem to the side like rubbish. They have my respect and appreciation for all they do! I forgot to add that spouses and children of pastors get a raw deal as well and deserve equal respect and appreciation!!! God bless!
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