“My son,
give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them
depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life
to those who find them And health to all their body.” Proverbs 4:20-22 (NAS)
Pride and
self-pity rode along with me on that smoldering August day as I drove to the
next appointment. Lately, it seemed that no one listened to me or took me
seriously. No one understood the struggles of a pastor. Everyone expected me to
listen to their problems but no one considered mine. Pastors evidently didn’t
have any real problems. My only refuge was to get finished for the day and go
home to my wife and family. At least there I would get respect and a warm,
loving reception . . . or so I thought.
self-pity rode along with me on that smoldering August day as I drove to the
next appointment. Lately, it seemed that no one listened to me or took me
seriously. No one understood the struggles of a pastor. Everyone expected me to
listen to their problems but no one considered mine. Pastors evidently didn’t
have any real problems. My only refuge was to get finished for the day and go
home to my wife and family. At least there I would get respect and a warm,
loving reception . . . or so I thought.
After a
grueling day in the pastoral trench, I trudged through the front door of the
parsonage needing some peace and quiet. But what I got was an outburst from an
equally tired person who felt abandoned and distant from her pastor-husband.
The gist of it ran along these lines. She was tired of self-centered,
inconsiderate individuals who couldn’t be patient with other people whose needs
were just as important as anybody’s. She was tired of going shopping without
enough money to complete her purchases. She was tired of everybody thinking she
was the only one who could do anything. She was tired of being cooped up all
day and we were going out for the evening someplace full of people and lots of
joyful noise. She didn’t ask: “how was your day, honey” or “do you want to go,
sweetheart.” She simply handed me the car keys and said, “let’s go.”
grueling day in the pastoral trench, I trudged through the front door of the
parsonage needing some peace and quiet. But what I got was an outburst from an
equally tired person who felt abandoned and distant from her pastor-husband.
The gist of it ran along these lines. She was tired of self-centered,
inconsiderate individuals who couldn’t be patient with other people whose needs
were just as important as anybody’s. She was tired of going shopping without
enough money to complete her purchases. She was tired of everybody thinking she
was the only one who could do anything. She was tired of being cooped up all
day and we were going out for the evening someplace full of people and lots of
joyful noise. She didn’t ask: “how was your day, honey” or “do you want to go,
sweetheart.” She simply handed me the car keys and said, “let’s go.”
Now at
that point I had a choice. (I was born in the morning but it wasn’t that
morning.) While she had unburdened herself, I had listened — really listened –
and in the silence of my soul the Word of God had been speaking. I learned
important things about my life and ministry. I learned the power of love and
the power of the Word of God. No matter how I wanted to react, a scripture
would remind me of why I couldn’t. That was a great evening. Peace and quiet
reigned because I forgot about myself and listened to someone else.
that point I had a choice. (I was born in the morning but it wasn’t that
morning.) While she had unburdened herself, I had listened — really listened –
and in the silence of my soul the Word of God had been speaking. I learned
important things about my life and ministry. I learned the power of love and
the power of the Word of God. No matter how I wanted to react, a scripture
would remind me of why I couldn’t. That was a great evening. Peace and quiet
reigned because I forgot about myself and listened to someone else.
Dear
Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit and your Word. Grant that we may have a
listening heart. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit and your Word. Grant that we may have a
listening heart. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong
and courageous today as you listen to God,
and courageous today as you listen to God,