A number of years ago, long before I came to Morehead, a much loved colleague in ministry met me for coffee on a day when I was - in a nutshell - worn out. Some of the congregants in my church were singing "What Have You Done For Me Lately?"; someone else was angry with the organist; the organist was angry with a couple of folks in the choir; yet another was mad that I had not visited them in the hospital (though they did not let me know they were there); and VBS had gone over budget. Folks were crabby, and quite frankly so was I. Crabby and worn out.
My colleague listened for a while as I vented. Then I stopped, and said, "Well, I'm just a big baby and I'm sorry for taking up your time. Those of us who are fortunate enough to work for God need never complain."
And - bless her - she didn't tell me I was right. She paused for a long moment, then looked at me and said that sometimes being a minister can be like working at a pay lake: that part of the job is to keep the lawn mowed, and the water clean, and the fish stocked, and the bait fresh, and the lines untangled. And, if someone wants to stop by and fish, then everything is ready and in good shape. And, if they don't stop by, well, you were paid to be there and be prepared, so you shouldn't gripe. They are responsible for their own actions.
I think of that afternoon from time to time.
Ministry isn't the only job that feels like that, I'm sure. It's the same with restaurants, or shops, or accounting, or many other jobs. It's always best, of course, to be thankful in all things. And most days, it's not only best but it's easy. {{And before someone worries - things are fine here at church. Really. The Spirit still is working, and we are still working within the Spirit.}}
Still, there are days when I can still see her face, and remember the look we shared after her story.
My colleague listened for a while as I vented. Then I stopped, and said, "Well, I'm just a big baby and I'm sorry for taking up your time. Those of us who are fortunate enough to work for God need never complain."
And - bless her - she didn't tell me I was right. She paused for a long moment, then looked at me and said that sometimes being a minister can be like working at a pay lake: that part of the job is to keep the lawn mowed, and the water clean, and the fish stocked, and the bait fresh, and the lines untangled. And, if someone wants to stop by and fish, then everything is ready and in good shape. And, if they don't stop by, well, you were paid to be there and be prepared, so you shouldn't gripe. They are responsible for their own actions.
I think of that afternoon from time to time.
Ministry isn't the only job that feels like that, I'm sure. It's the same with restaurants, or shops, or accounting, or many other jobs. It's always best, of course, to be thankful in all things. And most days, it's not only best but it's easy. {{And before someone worries - things are fine here at church. Really. The Spirit still is working, and we are still working within the Spirit.}}
Still, there are days when I can still see her face, and remember the look we shared after her story.
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