The only “narrative” this post will contain is the undeniable, all-too-obvious, ever present, but often overlooked goodness of God. What follows is a bullet point list of reasons this pastor stays humble and full of wonder.
- I gather on Monday mornings with a small group of men to pray. This could produce its own list of thankful things; let me focus on one. Mike Pollock is a committed regular at this gathering and, relatively speaking, is a new believer among us. He came to a saving knowledge of Christ just a few years ago. Seated at that table are men who have faithfully followed Jesus for 40, 50, even 60+ years and their prayers demonstrate a long conversation with Jesus. But Mike prays and he often gets emotional. You can hear the strain in his voice, sometimes causing him to cut short his prayers. The thing that “gets” him, week in and week out, is that Jesus loves him. I can’t tell you how many tears I have mopped from my own eyes as Mike helps me remember the marvel of Jesus’ love for me. I am thankful for Mike.
- I have a friend who claims he is “God’s favorite” and he regularly gives me evidential updates to prove it. Things like the hay baler spitting out the last bale of hay just as he gets to the end of the raked hay, or the wind blowing a tree down in just the right spot. Sometimes in the midst of our conversations it dawns on him that the very thing we are talking about is another evidence of his status as “favorite” and it is hard to deny. It always makes me a bit more alert to what “ordinary” things are happening around me that might be evidence that maybe I am God’s favorite too.
- There is a beautiful lady who battles addiction and past trauma, often feeling alone and forgotten, but she has found among the family of faith at Siloam a place full of grace and strength. Watching her find fresh hope and the assurance of God’s delight over her life is a source of great joy. Seeing the church embrace and encourage her on this journey reminds me that there are a few things we are getting right.
- I received a phone call from a collegian trying to piece together God’s plans for his life a few days before Thanksgiving. In the course of our conversation he speaks of the life-giving place Siloam is for him in a “wilderness” season of life. It makes me thankful for people who speak to strangers among us, seeing the seeds of kingdom stories God is writing. Siloam will never “benefit” from these relationships (we will not see these students living among us for years to come, serving on a committee, or contributing to the financial support of the church), but Siloam does get to become part of their faith story.
- A conversation with a noted individual in our community reminded me that most often it is the forgettable, ordinary acts of kindness and grace that mean the most to those we rub shoulders with each day. He called to mind a simple invitation to a meal over a decade ago during a particularly turbulent season of life for him. That simple invitation was a turning point in his journey. Frankly, I had no recollection of the event or the invitation, but for him it was a point of spiritual importance. I am thankful for all the unseen ways God uses our lives as we simply try to walk in His ways.
- Watching Laurel (aka “LaLa”) dance in church brought smiles to every face. Hearing JP and Eli eagerly lead the church through the declaration of our faith in the Apostle’s Creed gives me great hope for the future. Knowing that every Sunday there are people in our nursery taking care of the “least of these” reminds me that Jesus is among us in a very real way. I thank God for the children He entrusts to us.
- As the finance committee works through the budget process for 2024 there are so many things which cause me to breathe prayers of gratitude. Stories from the committee members of conversations they have had with others, particularly young families, about their growing commitment to biblical stewardship even as grocery store prices (and lots of other prices) are rising are humbling. Looking at numbers that are vastly different from numbers a scant year ago (ahead of budget, missional giving commitments met and exceeded, Legacy Fund slowly growing, etc) is a testament to your generosity as a church. It is a beautiful thing to know some of the stories we get to be part of because of your generosity.
- Doors. I still do a double take each time I drive by the front of the church. A decade+ long dream to see them restored to something like their original glory is a joy! I have enjoyed the conversation this project has created around our community and am grateful that a project like this has literally opened doors to conversations about church with so many.
- A man who sometimes skips worship to go share a Sunday School lesson with ONE lady at the nursing home. You would never know about it (the only reason I know about it is that she told on him!) but this insignificant, wasteful use of time (from the world’s point of view) is producing eternal fruit. I thank God for all the “small” stories I know about and all the ones I will never hear about. I know that someday all things will be made known and there will be jaw-dropping surprises at the ones God counts as great. I have an imagination that this fellow who sometimes skips church will be among those called “great” in the Kingdom.
- The regular conversation I have with guests in our worship services, particularly those who have had some brush with active service in the church as pastors, music ministers, or staff leaders, always makes me thank God. The conversation usually goes something like this, “There is a really special spirit here. You can tell people love Jesus here.” I think they are right and I thank God for you all.
- Warriors. There are some of you who are intent on praying for your staff. I cannot begin to tell you how encouraged and emboldened that makes me as I try to lead us to follow the Great Shepherd. The joyful grind of carrying burdens, navigating conflict, seeking God’s message for His people week in and week out, the solemn duty of standing at gravesides and bedsides, and seeking to make plans which help us all draw near to the heart of God is daunting. But the sure knowledge that there are individuals diligent in their prayers on our behalf and who stand shoulder to shoulder with us makes my often timid heart roar.
- Laughter. We have genuine joy that simply bubbles to the surface. We are unafraid to laugh together because we know we have reason to rejoice together. As C.S. Lewis said, “Joy is the serious business of heaven.” When it seeps through the cracks and bubbles up in our conversations, in our prayers, and even (especially) in our worship it makes me thankful to be on this wonder-filled journey with you all.
There are so many other stories I could tell. I’m guessing you could tell a few too. Maybe you should.
“‘O, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!” Psalm 118:1
The Shepherd's Staff 