Thankful for Pastors in our Midst----
It's past 2:45 AM and I'm still awake. I've been awake since 9a.m. without any naps which is unusual for me. I've been in my bed since 11pm and I can't seem to shut my mind off. There's so much going on in my heart and my mind that I can't seem to just "turn off" It has relatively little to do with the amount of physical pain I'm in tonight nor does it have little to do with upcoming medical procedures. I just have a lot on my mind. Some good things; some sad things; so praiseworthy things, some heart wrenching things, etc.
Today for all you VA folks, know how blistering cold it was today; I have to be extra careful about not getting sick due to my low immunity; plus with my horrible pain scale today, I just couldn't make it to church. I wanted to make it to either the early morning service or the Thanksgiving service my church had to night combined with the formal Installation Service of the official (should I say "dubbing??") of our Lead Pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in H'burg of Todd Pruitt!. I was so sad I couldn't do either. I hate my days of pain; and I wish I lived closer so that I didn't have to drive and entire 45 minutes to and back from church but THIS is where I am called to be part of the body of Christ. I have to say, I'm so thrilled to call Todd our lead pastor. God has truly blessed us with an enabled man of God. A friend, Frank, took pictures. When I saw the pictures of various pastors surrounding Todd and praying over Him; and when I saw Joe, charging Todd, all I could do is cry. I cried because I was joyful. THE week of THANKSGIVING to be thankful for such a blessing. My heart overflows.
I thought about who I have been to their installation process. Burress, Jacinto, and Tim (at least those were the three when I became a member since 2003); We've been blessed with such able bodies and I'm entirely grateful for such gifted men of God. I'm grateful for them; and each of them are gifted in different ways!
I also thought about men who have found other callings elsewhere......such as John B, John K, Ken A. Phil S. Each of them probably at one point ministered to you as they have to me. I can recall countless hours sitting in Phil's office while in college just overwhelmed by the demeaning upbringing of my church I was once a part of......I just had so much troubling "letting go". I remember sitting in Ken's office undergoing counseling when I couldn't make a clear choice on membership of a church/denomination AS well as getting counseling from another pastor, Scott (the church my parents started to visit and various others we knew learned to love). God bless them for their patience with me and my endless crying streaks.
And in case, Brian H, you are reading this, I'm not forgetting you. You're job is just as important. What a role model you are and how much of a task that must be! But I know you are doing a great job, the kids are always excited and happy.
So, yes I know, my blog is mainly for updates about my health or what God has done in encouraging me through my health, but guys....THIS. IS. IT! I'm (WE) are surrounded by so much love. Such great leadership......a great Session (present AND past). I can go through trials and know that I'm not alone because 1. Ultimately, God is with me and 2. We have amazing Pastors and Leadership that is always by our sides praying for us and thinking of us. My heart smiles whenever one of the people on staff or one of the Session, or Leaderships calls me or emails me and tells me they prayed for me in their meeting.
So, I'm not grateful for all you Session this Thanksgiving. I'm Thankful for you all EVERYDAY.
Today for all you VA folks, know how blistering cold it was today; I have to be extra careful about not getting sick due to my low immunity; plus with my horrible pain scale today, I just couldn't make it to church. I wanted to make it to either the early morning service or the Thanksgiving service my church had to night combined with the formal Installation Service of the official (should I say "dubbing??") of our Lead Pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in H'burg of Todd Pruitt!. I was so sad I couldn't do either. I hate my days of pain; and I wish I lived closer so that I didn't have to drive and entire 45 minutes to and back from church but THIS is where I am called to be part of the body of Christ. I have to say, I'm so thrilled to call Todd our lead pastor. God has truly blessed us with an enabled man of God. A friend, Frank, took pictures. When I saw the pictures of various pastors surrounding Todd and praying over Him; and when I saw Joe, charging Todd, all I could do is cry. I cried because I was joyful. THE week of THANKSGIVING to be thankful for such a blessing. My heart overflows.
I thought about who I have been to their installation process. Burress, Jacinto, and Tim (at least those were the three when I became a member since 2003); We've been blessed with such able bodies and I'm entirely grateful for such gifted men of God. I'm grateful for them; and each of them are gifted in different ways!
I also thought about men who have found other callings elsewhere......such as John B, John K, Ken A. Phil S. Each of them probably at one point ministered to you as they have to me. I can recall countless hours sitting in Phil's office while in college just overwhelmed by the demeaning upbringing of my church I was once a part of......I just had so much troubling "letting go". I remember sitting in Ken's office undergoing counseling when I couldn't make a clear choice on membership of a church/denomination AS well as getting counseling from another pastor, Scott (the church my parents started to visit and various others we knew learned to love). God bless them for their patience with me and my endless crying streaks.
And in case, Brian H, you are reading this, I'm not forgetting you. You're job is just as important. What a role model you are and how much of a task that must be! But I know you are doing a great job, the kids are always excited and happy.
So, yes I know, my blog is mainly for updates about my health or what God has done in encouraging me through my health, but guys....THIS. IS. IT! I'm (WE) are surrounded by so much love. Such great leadership......a great Session (present AND past). I can go through trials and know that I'm not alone because 1. Ultimately, God is with me and 2. We have amazing Pastors and Leadership that is always by our sides praying for us and thinking of us. My heart smiles whenever one of the people on staff or one of the Session, or Leaderships calls me or emails me and tells me they prayed for me in their meeting.
So, I'm not grateful for all you Session this Thanksgiving. I'm Thankful for you all EVERYDAY.
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