My Garden of Flowers

• May. 27, 2007 - Changes

We are now in transition from spring to summer. Our Awana program has come to close for this "school" year, with a summer break for leaders and students. Both children danced in the year-end Recital for their Dance Studio and taking a summer break from dance classes. After a busy two weeks I am quite tired, but look forward to getting ready for our Vacation Bible School in a month. Today I told a friend now that we are done with Recitals and Awana, I can focus on VBS. I am anxious to get started on my preparations.

There was much excitement at church this morning. Several friends who had moved away were visiting, congratulations were in order for recent graduates, and even with the number of people attending was small for a holiday weekend our church was full of fellowship activity. The worship service was nothing out the ordinary, so I was surprised when the invitation and closing prayer was finished that the pastor had us all be seated. Normally he would invite all us to the fellowship in the courtyard following the prayer. But today's ending was going to anything my ordinary. I got somewhat concerned when my husband reached over and took my hand, and pulled it over to him and held it. Should I be concerned? I wasn't sure. I couldn't think of anything that I should be concerned about in the church???

Then our pastor pulled out a piece of paper out and began reading it. At first I wasn't absolutely sure who he was speaking of, himself or our other pastor - someone else on staff. Then it hit me as he read "I as your pastor, resign today." Oh really, I thought, really??? I think for a split second I wasn't sure if I was happy about it or sad about it. I wasn't quite sure what to think. I knew some of my friends would be genuinely sad, and others would be glad. But how did I feel? I wasn't really sure. I did go up to my pastor and his wife afterwards and just gave them a hug and told them I was glad that they weren't actually leaving the state, at least I know they are still physically here in CA. They seemed to be a such peace over this decision.

It wasn't until we were leaving church to go to lunch, that I began to wonder why he was leaving? Did he not like us? Did the people who weren't happy with him, cause him to leave? I asked if it was known as to what he would be doing next...did he have another job? Maybe I shouldn't have because it just made me have more questions come to my already confused state of being. Our other pastor reassured John that this is a good thing, there isn't anything negative about our Pastor leaving, and God will take care of church. Our church is going to change and we need to embrace that.

I am not all that sure that I like change, but seems lately change is going to happen whether I can accept it or not. My children's needs are changing, our needs in a support group are changing, and I am forever trying to change myself! Praise God is He is unchanging, we has been, is and always will be the same. And over the next few days, weeks and months I can cling to that promise as change continues to happen in my church, my family and my life.