What I Wish I Would Have Said.

Yesterday, we were blessed to have a going away lunch and open house at our church.  For the past few weeks, I had been writing and rewriting what I wanted to say.  But, when the time came for me to say something, I didn't say everything that I wanted to.  So, instead, I thought I would share it on my blog.  Thank you to our first church!


Dear Church Family,

About six years ago, my husband and I were sitting at our table having a phone interview with your search committee.  I was a 27 year old kid who thought she knew so much, but in reality, knew very little.  You extended a call, and we accepted.  If I am to be honest, I reluctantly accepted.  Pastor's wife was not a description that was in my plan.  Pastor, maybe, but not the dreaded title of Pastor's Wife.  After all, aren't those the women who wear sensible shoes?  That was not me!

Here I am six years, two kids and a whole lot of life experience later.  Being in ministry can make a person grow up fast.  I have seen and experienced things that to be honest, are really beyond my skill level.  But, being in a rural isolated place means that a pastor and his wife become a jack of all trades.  We have counseled marriages, ministered to families who have lost loved ones, we have grieved the death of your loved ones, we have dealt with depression within our own family. 

We have experienced joy as we have watched couples start out their lives together.  We have met new members of our church family, some as grown ups and some as brand new babies.  We have seen God change us and change you.  You have become a kinder, softer church.  Not because of anything you have done or anything we have done.  But rather, because what the Lord has done.

So, here I am, a different person than six years ago.  Hopefully a better person.  Thank you for allowing me to be me.  Thank you for allowing me the time and space to figure out what this whole pastor's wife thing is about.  Some women complain about expectations in the ministry, but I really don't know what that is like.  This church has accepted me for who I am, let me be that person and as a result, I have been able to grow in Christ without being stifled by expectations.

But, mostly, I want to thank you for loving the two most important people in my life, my children.  You have taken them in as adopted grandkids, held them, loved them and been an extra pair of hands for me.  You have been an extended family when we were away from our extended family and for that we are extremely grateful.

Please know that you will be greatly missed.  You are dear and near to our hearts.  A new pastor and his family will come in to take our place and when they do, please be kind to them.  German from Russia country can be a tough place to live.  Go easy on those who come to serve you.  You have no idea what they are leaving behind in order to follow God's call.  Remember that they had a life before coming to your church, a life full of experiences and expertise.  Respect that, listen to them and cherish them.  Because even if you do not like them, they too, will most likely move on to another place and you can never get that time back.

You will be in our prayers as you seek God's direction for your future.  I am eternally grateful to have served you.

In Christ,
Katie

Mom: Aka Manager of Stuff

Packing is well under way at the Prairie Parsonage these days.  Everything we own is carefully being bubble wrapped, boxed, taped up and labled for a 600 plus mile journey to our new home.  Ok, in reality, most things are just getting thrown into a box, but I would like to think I am more organized than that.

In the midst of sorting through our things, my first thought is "Why in the world do we need all of this STUFF!"  It is merely stuff.  Thousands of dollars, spent on stuff.  Money that could be saved, money that could be used to help others.  Seeing everything you own out of cupboards, drawers and closets, makes a person realize how much she really has and how little she really needs.  It is very convicting.

Why do we have so much?  For a long time now, I have felt like I wake up each morning to start sifting through our stuff.  It annoyed me, it frustrated me and I am so very thankful for a move that will help us get rid of the clutter in our lives.  As Miss MT once said, "Nothing good comes from clutter."  Amen to that!

So, why am I ranting on this topic?  First, this is good therapy for me to vent!  (ok, just kidding on that).  It is more of a conviction.  Stuff is obviously filling some voids in the Prairie Parsonage, voids that are meant to be filled by God and God alone. 

Recently, I came across a box of stuff from my school years.  Notes (you know- those things that we used to pass in class before texting came along), pictures of prom and danceteam, my graduation cap, a map of the route we took on our honeymoon.  Bascially, a box of stuff that I am holding onto in order to preserve memories.  It's not a bad thing, but it made me realize that all of the time and effort I put into everything growing up was for one focus.  So that I could get a good paying job, make a lot of money and then I could buy stuff.

Stuff from the good old days!

But, much like the stuff of my growing up years, the stuff we buy now doesn't really mean much in the long run.  I am going to go out on a limb here, but I think that in South Central ND, we have a huge problem with stuff.  A friend who recently moved to the area said that once the snow is gone, the toys come out.  He is right.  4-wheelers, boats, campers, motorcycles, you name it, you see it.  I am not saying that these things are bad- they are good.  But, when used for the wrong reasons such as filling voids of relationships in our lives or worse, filling voids that only God can fill, they are toxic. 

Please don't think that I am judging.  Instead, I am looking at the giant log in my own eye.  But it does make me wonder.  If you and I maybe bought a little less stuff, focused a little more on our relationship with Christ and spent less time and money on our toys, what kind of impact would that have on our community?

My guess is that we would become just a little closer to our friends and neighbors, a little more like Christ and a little slower to anger (which us stubborn Germans and non Germans could definitely benefit from).  Just a few thoughts today from the Manager of Stuff.