An Encouraging Word

“She loves me; she loves me not.”   I was a ten year old when I was smitten with Lynda Catlett.  I wasn’t sure if she had the same feelings for me.  I picked up an apple and started twisting the stem and saying, “She loves me; she loves me not.”  When the stem broke on “she loves me” I was certain it was true love.  I asked her to be my girlfriend and we were eternally united in true love for about three weeks and then I was back to “she loves me not.”

When I decided to become a Pastor, a friend warned me that being a Pastor is a perilous profession.  Perilous not because our lives are in danger like the Biblical prophets of old.  No, we aren’t nearly that brave.  Nor is it perilous because we are destined to poverty.  I may not be rich, but I’m doing just fine financially.  Being a Pastor is perilous because deep down I want to be liked by everyone all the time.  And as hard as I try, I’ve learned that this is a perilous goal for a Pastor.

Pastors are people.  We have families, struggles, feelings, and needs just like everyone else.  We have good days and bad days.  On the good days we are on top of the world.  On the bad days, we are on our knees.  Sometimes I want to get an apple, twist the stem and say “they love me; they love me not.”

                        The worship went well; they love me.

                                    The air conditioner broke; they love me not.

                        The sermon was good; they love me.

                                    The music was too loud; they love me not.

                        I visited the hospital; they love me.

                                    I didn’t speak to someone in the hall; they love me not.

                        The offering was up; they love me.

                                    The service went too long; they love me not.

                        Attendance is up; they love me.

                                    I missed a church social; they love me not.

                        I lay out the vision; they love me.

                                    I tell them I need their help; they love me not.

                        I preach a short sermon; they love me.

                                    Too short a visit at the hospital; they love me not.

So that’s my story….what about yours?  Have you ever felt that way?  Have you ever experienced similar emotions in your life?  In your relationships?  In your family?  In your friendships?  At your workplace?  “They love me; they love me not.”

 Wonder if God ever feels that way about us?

“And the Lord said: ‘Because this people draw near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me…”

Isaiah 29:13a

May I encourage you this week to so live your life in such a way that God has no doubts about your love for Him!

Be encouraged,

Pastor Rob

A Little Fellow’s Dad

I may never be as clever as my neighbor down the street,

I may never be as wealthy as some other men I meet;

I may never have the glory that some other men had,

But I’ve got to be successful as a little fellow’s dad.

There are certain dreams I cherish that I’d like to see come true,

There are things I would accomplish when my working time is through;

But the task my heart is set on is to guide this little lad,

And to make myself successful as the little fellow’s dad.

It is that one job I dream of, it’s the task I think of most,

If I’d fail that growing youngster I’d have nothing else to boast.

For though wealth and fame I’d gather, all my future would be sad,

If I failed to be successful as that little fellow’s dad.

I may never get earth’s glory; I may never gather gold,

Men may count me as a failure when my business life is told;

But if he who follows after is a Christian, I’ll be glad,

For I’ll know I’ve been successful as a little fellow’s dad.

            Copied

I first saw this poem about 15 years ago after my second son was born.  It was then I got down on my knees and asked God to help me be a Godly example for my sons.  Fifteen years later, my oldest son is now graduating from High School and my younger son is entering the tenth grade.  My, how time flies.  Yet my prayer is still the same.  More important than anything I accomplish as a Pastor or a Community Leader, I want to be successful as a dad.  More than anything else in this world, I want to pass on my faith and values to my sons in such a way that I know they will walk with God long after I am gone.

As we celebrate Father’s Day at Green Valley Baptist Church, I want to pray today for dads.  I want to pray that we will do everything in our power to live a Godly example for our children to follow.  For when all is said and done, there is no worldly success that is greater than being a successful dad.  May I encourage all of you who are “Dads” today to renew your commitment to Christ and ask God to help you live your life in such a way that your children will walk with God long after you are gone.

Be encouraged,

Pastor Rob