(Photo by Sara Lee)Phil Collins once sang the words, "I can feel it coming in the air tonight..." I know the feeling. I know what the week is going to bring. I know what I am going to be confronted with as a pastor.
I will be with him as he struggles to make decisions about continuing to treat, or not to treat, his wife. She's 24.
A different wife, a friend and neighbor of a church member, will have to face the reality that her husband is gone...to the arms of another...breaking every promise and shattering every dream. They have five kids.
He's coming in on Wednesday. He's the brother of a church member. His cocaine/crack/meth addiction has deeply affected the rest of the family.
Surgeries, tests, pathology reports. I can feel it coming in the air tonight. And, I'll be there. Along with scores of other caring, loving people who choose to minister...to get their hands dirty. People who choose to stand alongside. To encourage. To support. To catch.
Here is my prayer for all of us.
Lord, your consistency in my devotion. Your fervency in my prayers. Your simplicity in my lifestyle. Your humility in my attitude. Your purity in my motives.
Your faithfulness in my commitments. Your unselfishness in my relationships. Your forgiveness in my conflicts. Your gentleness in my actions. Your kindness in my marriage.
Your blessings in my brokenness. Your strength in my weakness. Your courage in my convictions. Your joy in my circumstances. Your will in my priorities.
Lord, Your contentment in my disappointments. Your wisdom in my decisions. Your discipline in my day. Your vision in my dreams.
Your purpose in my steps. Your peace in my storms. Your presence in my home. Your power in my life.
Your tears in my eyes. Your voice in my ears. Your thoughts in my mind. Your work in my hands. Your words in my mouth. Your love in my heart.
(Prayer taken from I Saw the Lord - Anne Graham Lotz)
4 comments:
David, YOU will be in my prayers this week as you minister to those hurting. Please know that you are LOVED by us all.
Susan & Richard Gilbert
Dave, as I read your blog, I am deeply touched by the wisdom you show and the love for your fellow man. I wanted you to know that I will pray for you this week. Last week was a tough one in our home but the prayer that kept me sane was ..."God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the widsom to know the difference" - Reinhold Niebuhr.
Dave, you were there for my family when we faced the toughest time in our lives and it wasn't by what you said or didn't say, it was your presence of strength and faith. I know you bring similar feelings of peace in the people you come in contact with everyday. For this.... THANK YOU!
I have watched you grow as a minister of faith for more than 20 years, even before you announced your call to preach. I am awed by the work God is doing in your life.
David:
You will be in my prayers this week.
I have appreciated reading your posts. I have grown to love and admire your wife - we have been friends through AATE for many years.
Carol Horner
Thank you so much Susan and Richard, anonymous, and Carol. Thanks, too, to all of you who have e-mailed me this week. I sincerely appreciate the prayers. Keep 'em coming!
I'll do the same for you.
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