Barbara's Banter

A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…

I hate to admit it, but my world tends to revolve around ME and all things related to ME—my home, my family, my community, my city, my state, my country, my likes, my wants, my needs, my dreams, my passions, my opinions, and my thoughts. I am the center of my world and God loves ME!

Sometimes I forget that although God loves ME, He loves everyone else, too. I may be the center of my world, but I am not the center of God’s world—and it’s His world that counts. So from time to time, I have to do a reality check. My world should not revolve around me; it should revolve around God and around others as I reflect God’s Spirit in me. After all, the two great commandments are to love God and others (Matthew 22:37-40).

When God becomes the center of my world, my worldview or perspective changes. Exclusive concepts focusing on “me, myself, and I” are replaced with inclusive Trinitarian thinking which include the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This expands to more of a “we and us” view, rather than

just me. Neighbors and coworkers are not just acquaintances but brothers and sisters in Christ.

A panhandler is not just a beggar but a child of God. A homeless person is not an outcast, but someone God loves. God loves all of us, not just me

My husband has been in pastoral ministry for over fifty years. People are attracted to his love for God and others. I received a lovely email this year from a couple we worked with in the Appalachia area forty-some years ago who were new to the area at the time. I would like to share an excerpt with you.

“We were, and still are, so appreciative of you folks. You helped us so much! We will never forget the first time we met and Pastor Mel gave us some very wise counsel right from the get-go. He said, “You don’t talk about your college experiences, your travel, your education, your anything. Get to know the people. Find something you like here and talk about that, not you!”

This is how my pastor husband lives his life and I think it explains his success in pastoring churches all over the United States—from Appalachia to inner city Detroit. People are people. They all have the same basic need to be accepted, appreciated, and loved. That’s what God does for all of us.

Am I jealous that God loves others as much as me? I shouldn’t be—not when I fully understand God’s capacity for love. God can love all of us and still have a special, intimate relationship with each one as an individual. That’s just how great He is!

When we realize how much God loves us and how great He is, we don’t just want Him to be part of our world; we want Him to be at its core and center. Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). In Him, we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). We want to stay connected through prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17). His thoughts are not our thoughts so we try to align to His way of thinking (Isaiah 55:8). This is accomplished by internalizing and writing His words on our hearts (Proverbs 7:1-3). We meditate on scripture and apply it to our lives (Psalm 119:15).

God knows everything and we don’t so we want His will to supersede ours (Luke 22:42). He has only our best interests in mind, so we adjust to what God wants to do, not what we want to do. Our agendas decrease as His become more manifest. We focus on Christ because that’s how we survive. Remember the example of Peter? As long as he stayed focused on Christ, he walked on water. When his attention shifted off Christ, he began to sink (Matthew 14:30).

As our personal lives become more God centered, we notice our perspectives slowly changing. We start seeing the world around us through God’s eyes instead of our own. We realize we were created by God and for Him (Colossians 1:16), so we actually start thinking about God more than self. Plus, we start thinking of others more than self.   

I must admit, I still struggle with wanting my world to revolve around ME. However, in my heart I know it’s not about ME; it’s all about God!

*****

Dear Great God, You are truly great, powerful, and mighty. You are a God of love, mercy, and grace. What a privilege it is to be called a child of God! What a privilege it is to be part of Your world! You make me feel so special that I sometimes forget that life is not all about ME; it’s all about YOU! Gently remind me of this when I try to negotiate and manipulate You into giving me what I want. Let me always willingly defer to Your judgment and place my trust in You. Allow my love and appreciation for You and what You do in my life to overflow to others.   

A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…

When I first started writing, about a hundred years ago, I learned quickly that the writer’s life was full of rejections. Of course, I was in good company.

• Zane Gray was told, “You have no business being a writer and you should give up.” He has sold over 250 million books.
• Louis L’Amour received 200 rejections before he was published. He has sold over 330 million books.
• Agatha Christie’s books were rejected for five years. Her book sales are now over $2 billion. Only William Shakespeare has sold more.
• Chicken Soup for the Soul books were rejected 140 times. Now they have sold over 125 million books. .
• The Tales of Peter Rabbit was rejected so many times that Beatrice Potter decided to self-publish 250 books. It has sold over 45 million.
• Margaret Mitchell received 38 rejections for Gone with the Wind.
• A Wrinkle in Time received 26 rejections.

J. K. Rowling, Dr. Suess, C.S. Lewis, and H. G. Wells all experienced major rejection. I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. Now I don’t list these names in the hopes I, too, will one day be a rich and famous author. I’m just illustrating rejection comes with the territory. So early on I realized I would get plenty of rejection. Therefore, from the beginning, when I received a positive comment about anything I wrote, I put it into a folder. It’s my “encouragement” folder.

A writer’s life can be a lonely one—just you, your computer, and a thesaurus. Most people do not take the time to write a note when they like what you’ve written. So you don’t know if anyone is reading it or if it has impacted a person in some way. So these precious notes and letters boost my spirits when I’m feeling low. I also have another “encouragement” file with meaningful, thoughtful notes from friends, family, and associates. It’s not a vanity thing. It just reaffirms that my efforts are not a total loss. We all need a little encouragement from time to time.

Life is full of rejection and negativity. God accepts and appreciates us, but others may not. I think that’s why the Bible says a lot about edifying and encouraging others (1 Thessalonians 5:5). Edify means to build up or encourage. The Message Bible puts it this way: “Watch the way you talk…Say only what helps, each word a gift” (Ephesians 4:29). Encouragement is a gift we give to one another.  

Encouragement is important because it goes straight to the heart of a person. In fact, in Latin “en” means “put into” and “cor” means “the heart.” Put into the heart!

We live in an ultra-busy society. Giving encouragement to others falls way down at the bottom of our to-do list. Yet, God himself is the great encourager (Psalm 10:17; Romans 15:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). The Bible is the most encouraging book ever written. God comforts, exhorts, and encourages us. He wants us to do that for others (I Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11; Hebrews 3:13).

Encouragement should not be confused with idle flattery. Not everyone is the greatest, best, or most fantastic person in the whole wide world. False praise can produce rivalry or competition, be judgmental, foster selfishness, or give a deceptive sense of evaluation. Encouragement, on the other hand, stimulates cooperation or contribution for the good of all, focuses on effort, makes a person feel accepted, and gives comfort or joy.

Encouragement is a two-way street, a win-win scenario as they say in the corporate world. It not only encourages the recipient but the giver as well (Romans 1:11-12). An old adage says, “One word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than a hundred words of praise during a success.” I think that’s true.

We live in a pressure-filled world filled with unrealistic expectations. Satan uses this to tear us down, make us feel unimportant and unappreciated, or like we don’t belong. Sometimes we feel like Jesus doesn’t even care, even though deep in our hearts we know differently. Encouragers are Christ’s representatives here on earth. Their mission is to “put into the heart” of people the thought that they are appreciated and someone cares.

*****

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for sending encouragers my way. Put in my heart words of encouragement for others. When someone does a kind deed, let me praise them. When people exhibit any of the fruits of Your Spirit, let me commend them. When others have me go first, let me thank them. When friends make progress, let me congratulate them. Let me never miss an opportunity to acknowledge others. You want people to feel valued, appreciated, and loved. What You’ve given me, let me gladly pass on to others. To YOU be the glory!

A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…

When Thanksgiving comes around each year, it’s a great reminder to give thanks. Psalm 92:1-4 says, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness at night.”

I think this is more of a command than a suggestion but all too often we forget to be thankful. It’s so easy to lose sight of this amid the hustle and bustle of everyday activity, but not just the Bible tells us it is good to give thanks. Scientific studies have shown the benefits of being thankful. People who express daily gratitude are 25% happier and healthier than those who don’t. A University of California long-term study on gratitude found that being grateful promotes good health, contributes to becoming successful, aids better sleep patterns, and just overall makes one more generous and helpful to others.

Even Oprah Winfrey says, “The single greatest thing you can do to change your life today would be to start being grateful for what you have right now.”

So the world has come to know what the Bible told us all along. It is good to give thanks to the Lord (Psalm 92:11). 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 goes so far as to say, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances…” I have found I can even find something to be thankful for in dire circumstances. What about sunshine, flowers, a smile from someone, a child’s laughter, or even finding a good parking space?

Keeping a daily gratitude journal is helpful. The Internet has tons of ideas on starting and keeping these journals. Some spend each day making mental notes on just the positive things they experience and then write about them. Others list three things each day they are grateful for and try not to repeat anything.  

Even though I’m a writer, I’ve never been good at journaling. I’ll also admit that I don’t record each day what I’m thankful for, but I do practice a little positive meditation before I go to sleep. When I snuggle into bed at night instead of mentally rehashing every bad thing that happened all day long, I try to focus on everything that went right, no matter how small.

Another thing I try to do is just practice saying “thank you” to each and every person who does something for me. Everyone! This includes the waiter who takes my order or the guy who bags my groceries. Sure they are getting paid to do it, but a “thank you” from someone can make their jobs a little more tolerable.

Prayer time is a great place to give thanks. I try to start and end each prayer by thanking God for something. I also ask God to bring back to mind all the wonderful things He’s done for me in the past and thank Him. I think one of the sweetest prayers God can hear from anyone’s lips is a heartfelt “Thank You, Lord!” People like to hear it too!

*****

Thank You, Lord! Thank You for another day of life! Thank You for friends and family! Thank You for loved ones I don’t get to see very often! Thank You for the beautiful memories of loved ones who have passed away. Thank You for the air I breathe, the clothes I wear, the cozy bed I sleep in, the chirping birds, the rose bush in the front yard, the peaches from our tree, the sunset, the rain, the laughing children in the schoolyard across the street, the food I eat… The Bible tells me that it is good to give thanks to God! I give thanks to You because You are good! May my prayers always be full of thanks to You!

A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…

When someone says something genuinely nice about me—something they really feel—I glow. It can put me in a good mood for days. By the same token, an unkind word can have the opposite effect. Words have a life of their own. 

Lawyers who battle it out in court have one goal—to win. Therefore, they do not always play fair. Many times they will ask an objectionable question knowing the judge will not allow it. The judge will strike it from the record and instruct the jury not to give it any credibility when rendering a decision, but it will be too late. Lawyers know the jury will remember what is said. They are counting on it because what is said lingers in a person’s mind. Words have a life of their own.

This is why we must be cautious in what we say to others. Even if we apologize for making careless statements to or about others, that does not erase what was said. You cannot strike it from the record or take it back, because people will remember it even if you say you didn’t really mean it. Spoken words don’t just dissolve into the air. They live on and damage is done.

No wonder the Bible speaks about taming our tongues (James 3). Both David and James use the metaphor of bridling our tongues (Psalms 39:1; James 1:26). A bridle is a leather harness and bit placed in a horse’s mouth to control it. That might seem a bit drastic to us, but in all honesty some of us could benefit from a built in muzzle that clamps over our mouths when we are about to say something we are going to regret.

As Christians we know the admonitions about not having a flattering tongue (Psalm 5:9), a haughty tongue (Psalm 12:2-4), a lying tongue (Proverbs 25:18), a backbiting tongue (Proverbs 25:23), a talebearer’s tongue (Proverbs 18:8), a cursing tongue (Romans 3:13-14), a sharp tongue (Proverbs 12:18), or to gossip (Romans 1:29). Perhaps the hardest tongue to guard against is one that manifests itself when we least expect it because our tongues speak from the abundance of our hearts (Matthew 12:34).

Unfortunately, this seems to happen with those who are closest to us. We say something stupid or hurtful and we don’t even know why. We might think, “I wonder where that came from?” But the heart knows. Someone or something can trigger unresolved issues within us, and we end up regurgitating them on others.

Solomon said to weigh our words carefully (Ecclesiastes 5:2-3). James said to think before we speak (James 1:19). Jesus said what goes into our mouths is not as important as what we say (Matthew 15:11).

Heartfelt words spoken with kindness, consideration, and love are beautiful (Proverbs 25:11). Careless, thoughtless words can be poisonous (James 3:8). Remember that words have a life of their own. What we say today lives on tomorrow!

That’s why I try to speak pleasant words. I don’t always succeed but that’s my goal. Proverbs 16:24 says, “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.”  If I make my words sweet, they will be much easier to eat if I have to!

*****

O Father, put in my heart to say pleasant words. If I must correct or exhort another such as a child or employee, help it to only be done in love. Let Your words flow from my lips to others. Teach me to hold my tongue when I’m tempted to gossip, spread rumors, give a sharp response, or joke at someone else’s expense. Guide, direct, and motivate my tongue to be used for Your glory.

A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…

Okay, I admit it! I talk to myself all the time. I say, “Self, what did you come into this room to get?” I say that a lot. Sometimes I’ll say, “Self, why did you do that?” Carrying on a little conversation with yourself is not unhealthy. They say it’s when you start answering yourself that you need to worry.

We all know that words have power. That’s why we are told to bridle our tongues (James 3:1-10). Words can bring hurt or healing (Proverbs 18:21). This not only applies to how we talk to others, but how we talk to ourselves.

We are all constantly talking to ourselves through our thoughts. Unfortunately, most of it is not too positive. We call ourselves fat and ugly. We call ourselves stupid idiots. We tell ourselves we are worthless, unforgivable losers. We call ourselves clueless jerks. This is not a good thing.

While it’s true that we are all clueless jerks at one time or another, to dwell on it and get down on ourselves is not productive. It lingers in our subconscious and plants negative seeds of doubt. These seeds can take root in other parts of our lives and lead to destructive behavior. It can also cause depression and keep us from moving forward in the faith.

Proverbs 4:23 (GNT) tells us to “be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” Proverbs 23:7 tells us that “as a man thinks, so he is.” These scriptures caution us about how and what we think.

The father of General Semantics, Count Alfred Korzybski, once marveled, “Man is the only creature who can talk himself into a nervous breakdown and the only creature who can talk himself out of it.”

We won’t always be able to block negative self-talk, but we can certainly limit how much time and consideration we give it. We can choose not to continuously entertain it. We can choose to replace it with those things God says are worthy of our time and thought.

God says to bring every thought into captivity (2 Corinthians 10:5). We are told to meditate on things that are noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Thinking we are fat and stupid does not really fall in any of these categories.

We also need to view ourselves as God views us. God doesn’t think we are worthless or He wouldn’t have died for us (John 3:16). God doesn’t think we are unforgivable because He forgives us (1 John 1:9). We repeatedly condemn ourselves, but God doesn’t (Romans 8:1-2). God doesn’t think we’re losers. Through Him we are victorious winners (1 Corinthians 15:57).

One lady I’ve had to contact a time or two to give me information through our headquarters has never disappointed me. Each time she answers my email request, I send a little note of thanks and add, “You are a Sweetie!”

Her reply is always, “Yes, I know.”

I love that. That’s how God thinks of her and actually that’s what God thinks of me. So once in a while I’ll remind myself with positive self-talk, “Self, you are a sweetie!” If we fill our minds with what God thinks, we won’t have room for a lot of negative self-talk. 

*****

O Father, it is so hard to view myself the way You do. Please help me not to put myself or others down. Let my words be uplifting and encouraging to others and myself. You came not to condemn us, but to save us. Sometimes I need to be saved from myself.

A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…

To be honest, I’m not big on “missions” and “mission statements.” To me the word “mission” sounds task oriented. Being a bit lazy, I tend to shy away from anything remotely resembling more work I have to do. I know it’s all psychological, but what can I say? I tend to psych myself out sometimes. But I do like the word “purpose.” To me purpose means my life makes a difference and what I do each and every day matters—not only to me, but to those around me and to God.

Let’s face it, I’ll probably never give up all my worldly possessions to serve the poor, leave a lucrative medical practice to be a missionary in Africa, or travel the world to preach the gospel while bringing hundreds of people to Christ. That’s because I was not called to be like Mother Teresa, Dr. Albert Schweitzer, or Billy Graham. But that doesn’t make my life any less meaningful or important in God’s eyes. Maybe some of us were called to live ordinary lives—doing what we can to serve God and others regardless of circumstances.

An old adage states: We can’t all cross the ocean, but we can still stand on the shore and help launch the ships. In other words, those who stay behind doing God’s work are just as important as those that go to the forefront.

David understood this principle. When he and his men fought the Amalekites, some went into battle and some had to stay behind to guard the carriages and baggage left behind so the pursuit could move faster. When the soldiers returned victorious with the spoils, many did not want to share the bounty with those who had not gone into battle. They felt their jobs were more important than those who remained behind. David did not agree. He said that all would share in what God had given them equally. “The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike” (1 Samuel 30:21-25).

We all have different strengths and weaknesses. Some may have a desire to serve in greater capacities but might be limited by health problems, finances, family obligations, and so on. God did not intend for everyone to live in a limelight. But just because people go unnoticed doesn’t mean they aren’t significant. We all must do what we can—and we all share in the same reward with God.

Maybe my mission or purpose or whatever you want to call it in life is as simple as sharing and showing the love of God. I am God’s workmanship created to live my life according to His will (Ephesians 2:10). If I stay God centered, He will give my life meaning, keep me focused and motivated—and His strength can keep me going (Philippians 4:13).

*****

Dear God, I don’t mind being ordinary. I really don’t! We are all extraordinary in Your eyes because You live in us. Equip me to embrace the tasks You lay before me so I can do what You would have me do and not run away. Give me the strength and courage to recognize and enter Your open doors. There are times when I feel like I’m not making progress as Your servant. Sometimes it’s all I can do just to make it through another day. Let me realize that being an encouraging support to others who have been called to serve in ways I haven’t such as missionaries, preachers, or chaplains is important in Your eyes. Bless the person traveling the world to spread Your gospel. And bless those of us who remain home and allow us to reflect Your light to all we meet—day by day.    

A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…

My mother died when I was in my early twenties but I’ve never forgotten the tidbits of knowledge she passed down to me during my formative years and it fills my heart with joy when I think of her. One thing she told me was, “Always remember that there are three sides to every story. Your side, their side, and what really happened.”

As a child it used to irritate me that she wouldn’t just accept my version of what happened. She would always want to get the full story. It was only when I grew up that I understood the wisdom of her advice. Here’s a true story that illustrates what she meant.

Years ago my husband and I worked near a pastor who was having some difficulties. Our headquarters labored diligently to help this man come to terms with his struggles. Finally, the pastor asked for and was granted a leave of absence so he could spend some reflective time praying and studying without the added responsibility of taking care of his church.

However, others who were not in our area heard that this man was treated unfairly and basically given the ax. Since we were in the adjacent area, we started receiving phone calls from all over the United States. “What a raw deal!” they would say. “How could they treat him that way?” Without sharing personal details of this man’s struggle, we assured our callers their information was faulty. Some believed us but others wanted to believe the worst, and so they did.

We learned a valuable lesson from this experience. How many times had we been guilty of making snap judgments or believing the worst without having all the facts?

It’s hard enough to accurately assess a predicament when we are knee-deep in it, much less forming opinions based on hearsay. Yet, life is filled with situations we must evaluate and sometimes even offer guidance. Teachers deal with student problems. Parents work with their children. Friends want to help friends. We in ministry are called upon to counsel others.

I often remember Mom’s “three sides to the story” principle when dealing with people. For example, when you are counseling a couple there is always his side, her side. and what really happened. If you are trying to sort out a sibling dispute, each has a version of what happened and then there is what really happened. Of course, the more people you have involved, the more “sides to the story” you will have. One hundred people can hear a sermon and each might have a different idea of what was said. Most of us don’t try to deliberately deceive in offering an account of what we think happened. We just all tend to see things from our point of view. Our perspective becomes our reality.

When we hear only one side of a story we need to be cautious about what we say. Sometimes those in dispute end up reconciling. Then the person we were talking with shares what we said about the other person, usually out of context, and we end up looking like the adversary. It can be difficult not to get caught up or emotionally involved in another person’s drama but it is better to keep our opinions to ourselves and just offer encouragement without taking sides.

In any case, it’s always wise to get as many facts as we can before forming an opinion about a situation—and it’s definitely better to think long and hard before sharing it with others.   

*****

Dear heavenly Father, how many times have I jumped to conclusions about others only to find out I was wrong? That’s why I desperately need Your guidance, wisdom, and counsel so I can make accurate assessments of situations. Keep me from spreading unfounded rumors and gossip. Put in my heart to listen more and speak less. Let me view others through the eyes of Your love.

A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…

Our family likes to celebrate. If someone gets a new job, we celebrate. If someone gets a raise, we celebrate. We may not always celebrate a birthday or anniversary on the right day, but we celebrate the occasion in one way or another. We’ve even been known to combine celebrating Mother’s and Father’s Day on a date somewhere between early May and late June because it’s the only time we can all get together, but we celebrate.

God is a God of joy. The scriptures are full of exhortations to rejoice (Psalm 118:24; Philippians 4:4). But did you know that God likes to celebrate as well? Celebrate means to observe a notable occasion with festivities. God likes a little singing (Ephesians 5:29, James 5:13), a little dancing (Psalm 149:3; Ecclesiastes 3:4), a little shouting (Isaiah 12:6; Psalm 47:1), and a lot of laughter (Proverbs 17:22; Psalm 126:2). For a good time, call God. He likes to celebrate. 

From the beginning it was so. When God laid the foundations of the earth He looked around and said, “It is very good!” Then the morning stars and sons of God shouted for joy (Job 38:7). Sounds like a celebration to me!

For the Old Testament Holy Days, God told the people to save their money, buy what their hearts desired, share it with others, and rejoice (Deuteronomy 14:26). Sounds like a celebration to me!

After the wall of Jerusalem had been rebuilt, everyone came together to dedicate it to the Lord. There was gladness, thanksgiving, praises to God, plus singing with cymbals, stringed instruments, and harps (Nehemiah 12:27-28). In fact, God had them rejoice with great joy, so much so that “the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off” (Nehemiah 12:43). Sounds like a celebration to me!

When David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord to the city of David, there was much shouting and the sound of the trumpet. David was so excited he danced with all his might (2 Samuel 6:14). Sounds like a celebration to me!

The biblical examples are endless. When the prodigal son returned, his dad threw a big party (Luke 15:23-24). Jesus’s first miracle took place at a wedding (John 2:1-8). In fact, He turned water into wine to keep the festivities going. And there is joy in heaven when one sinner repents (Luke 15:7, 10). Sounds like a lot of celebrating to me!

God created us to enjoy life. Celebrations are an important part of that enjoyment. They give us a break from our routines. We take pictures, send flowers, write cards, give gifts, have parades, shoot fireworks, throw parties, and eat cake. Celebrations can help us commemorate our past, appreciate the present, and look forward to the future. And we who have Christ in our lives have much to celebrate!

I don’t think God takes pleasure in joyless Christians leading joyless lives. I’m not saying we should all walk around with fake smiles on our faces pretending to be happy. There are times for quietness and reflection, but God’s presence in our lives gives us much to celebrate. God is the eternal joy giver. If we aren’t doing some celebrating, we might not be as close to God as we should be.

*****

O Father, how I love a happy celebration! You want me to live a joyous Christian life. If I am to be a reflection of You, I need joy in my life. Joy is contagious. Fill me with Your joy and help me to spread it to others.

A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…

A few years ago my husband and I accompanied our grown children on a tour of Egypt. We spent a couple of days in Cairo where we rode camels to the Pyramids, toured a papyrus factory, saw a laser light show at the Sphinx, and attended a whirling dervish evening. Then we took a riverboat cruise down the Nile making stops and seeing sights along the way. Being a creature of comfort, this air-conditioned river boat in hot, dusty Egypt was my idea of a good time.

In Luxor, our family wanted to take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the Valley of the Kings.  Now I am not the adventurous type. Usually I let the others go ahead on such treks while I stay back, relax with a good book, and wait for them to regale me later about what I missed. Plus, I am not a morning person so the thought of getting up 4 a.m. was daunting. But this time I surprised my family and said, “Great! Let’s do it!” After all, I thought, I’m not getting any younger. There might not be a lot more opportunities like this in my future.

We rose early. The tour staff picked us up from the riverboat and ferried us across the Nile by felucca (small boat). Then we were driven in a jeep to our take-off point. There we actually saw the balloons being inflated. There were several balloons with waist-high wicker baskets called gondolas attached. Each accommodated approximately 20 people or so along with the pilot and propane tanks which kept the balloon afloat. Our pilot’s name was Captain Bob.

After some brief instructions, we were ready to board. Now here’s where I had my problem. There was no way to get into these baskets without climbing. There were no ladders or such, just a few little indentations for a small portion of your foot as you climbed up. My husband went first so he could help me get in. The kids would follow me. Unfortunately, I have a trick knee that gives me trouble. So I couldn’t make that final swing of my leg to get into the basket. I tried several times, but just couldn’t do it.

I was back on the ground ready to try climbing one last time but had decided it wouldn’t be the end of the world if I didn’t get to go. Then I saw Captain Bob nod his head. Suddenly two large Egyptians swooped me up from behind, lifted me high, and hoisted me into the gondola. Imagine my shock. My daughter Sherisa said to my son, “When Mom turns around she is either going to be pissed or laughing her head off.” Well, I thought it was hilarious!

The balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings was spectacular. It’s been described as seeing the biggest open air museum from the sky. On one side you have the fields beyond the Nile and on the other side you have the tombs and temples. All are illuminated by the shimmering colors and glow of the morning sunrise. Getting out of the basket after the landing was a breeze because the balloon is deflated. So the basket just tips over and you walk out.

Oh how I laugh remembering my Egyptian helpers boosting me into that gondola. How many times has God given me an extra boost to get me over an obstacle in life—and here was just another example!

God is good. He sends us an extra boost every now and then—just when we need it most!

*****

Oh Father! How I laugh when I think about certain boosts of joy You have sent me. Laughter is such an important part of my life. You made me that way. For some reason You have allowed me to see the humor in everyday life and I’m so grateful. May laughter fill the lives of those I meet. Let them realize that You created laughter and it is good!

A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…

October is designated as Clergy Appreciation Month. I’m not sure who comes up with these months, perhaps Hallmark. But hey, being part of the clergy via marriage, I won’t balk at any form of appreciation. Everyone loves to be appreciated!

Being a pastor is not an easy job. Perhaps that’s why a lot leave this profession each year. Some leave due to burnout. Some feel they want to do something else. Others are ousted due to personality conflicts, unrealistic expectations, theological differences, or conflicting visions for a church.

Finding good replacements is not easy. In fact, I heard a story about a man applying to be a church pastor. Although he was a loving man who cared for the flock, he was turned down for the following reasons:  

• He was too young—only 30ish—so he wouldn’t be able to relate to the elderly.
• He was single, so he wouldn’t be able to relate to married couples.
• He didn’t have children, so he wouldn’t be able to help with child-rearing troubles.
• He associated with those outside the church, so some in the church would feel neglected.
• He had some close friends, so he would be considered cliquish.
• He got angry occasionally, so some would say he lacked self-control.
• He valued a woman’s opinion, so he would be perceived as a wimp.
• He liked solitude once in a while, so some might think he was aloof.
• Some of his messages were hard to understand, so he would not be a good speaker.
• Some of what he taught was progressive, so he might be considered a heretic.
• He taught basic principles, so he wouldn’t be innovative enough.
• He didn’t jump every time someone said “froggy,” so some might think him inaccessible.
• He favored the poor and needy, so the ones who could really give money to keep the church afloat might be offended.
• He drank wine, so some would think he was an alcoholic.
• Do you recognize this man? His name was Jesus.

Qualities of a good pastor have changed through the years. Somewhere in time the line between “shepherding a flock” and “managing the people” blurred. No longer are the qualifications mentioned in 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, and 1 Peter 5 enough. It’s fine to teach through a loving example what Christianity is all about like being prudent, kind, concerned, humble, balanced, gentle, hospitable, doctrinally sound, temperate, reputable, respected, and devout, but what about administrative skills, church growth strategies, raising money, and keeping everyone happy?

 Pastoring in today’s society is especially hard because church has morphed into more of a business organization than a gathering of people wanting to learn more about Jesus. On the surface, it may appear that all the pastor does is marry couples, preach the dead into heaven, and give a sermon once a week. Actually, his is an endless job of counseling, evangelizing, communicating with church leaders, visiting the sick, making people feel loved and valued, appeasing ruffled feathers, conducting Bible studies, being on-call 24/7, community involvement, cleaning the toilet when the janitor doesn’t show up, sharing sorrows and joys, listening to the disgruntled, and oh yes, trying to pray and study so he will have something spiritual to pass on to others.

Yet, those called to pastor do their jobs lovingly, because they truly want to serve others. They want to help others grasp the greatness of God. They want people to know that God is the answer to all their needs, hopes, and desires.

If Jesus Himself would not qualify to pastor a church today, then chances are your pastor is not perfect. A flock abuser should not be tolerated, but a pastor who errs on the side of giving, loving, and serving can’t be too bad.  

Showing appreciation through notes of encouragement and being supportive is a good idea. However, do not neglect the weightier matters. The most important thing you can do for pastors today is pray for them and their families! Prayer is the perfect appreciation present! It’s a priceless gift that costs the giver little. So I urge you to pray for all pastors—the perfect and the imperfect, too! The fields are ripe. The laborers are few – and getting fewer all the time!   

*****

Father, if I am totally honest with You, being in ministry for over fifty years has not been easy. Ministry is especially hard for pastor’s wives and their children. It would be a lot harder if I weren’t married to a man You have anointed with Your grace to be a loving shepherd for every congregation he has served. He has always been a helper of their joy, not a policeman of their faith. To God be the glory for this wonderful giftedness!