Loving the Congregation He Serves

    Sharing my husband has not come easy.  I battle with the thoughts in my head about our needs at home versus the needs of the parishioners.  Constantly trying to validate that our needs must come first.  I realise that my husband gets stretched in many directions at any given time and sometimes that means allowing him not to feel he has to choose sides.

   This wasn't easy at first, especially when we had many little ones to care for.  I admit, there were times I felt downright indignant.  Who were they to steal his time away from his children and me for that matter?  I suppose I could even admit I really harbored some ill feelings to certain individuals because they always seemed to "need" the Pastor.

    Sometimes there are real needs from a member, sometimes that is a life or death situation and sometimes it's just a listening ear to a struggling human who needs that listening ear.

  Who were/ are they?  They are the congregation, the people that God has provided for my husband to shepherd and nourish in His Word and Sacraments.  They are the people God has also placed in my family's life to love and live with.

  The Bible gives us many verses to encourage us to love and serve:

Rom. 12:10-13 " Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."

John 13:34-35 " A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1 John 4:7  "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God."

  As my husband continues to serve and love the people in God's flock it is my privilege and a blessing to serve and love right alongside him.  Love the people, love the needy, less fortunate and people God calls His own.

  Thank you Lord for the opportunity.