Many years ago, when I was the Senior Pastor of a big, important church, I had two – three seminary students for whose mentoring I was responsible. I remember being terrible at it. I could barely handle pastoring this big, important church much less teaching anyone else to do it! I was in way over my head and crumbling under the pressure. The students themselves were truly a blessing to me and to the church. The church loved them, for the most part and in part because they were all the preferred male gender. One sweet gentleman often told me he thought I was a wonderful pastor but still wished I was a man. I grew to adore that man and to appreciate his honesty. He was truly a blessing to me.
One of my student pastors had the disconcerting characteristic of weeping at the drop of the hat. Scripture moved him to tears. The knowledge of the suffering of anyone, distant or near reduced him tears. Leading the pastoral prayer was excruciatingly emotional. The big, important congregation didn’t care much for such displays of emotion and I was instructed to set him straight. They didn’t like my Midwestern emotions much either but I was a woman, so what can you expect? Most could not see his beautiful soul.
This young man with taught me so very much. Once we were having a philosophical discussion about why God created us mortal beings. With tears in his eyes he said, “We were created to be a blessing.” I love that. I think of his words daily and when I am most true to God within me, I heed his words. I see the harried grocery clerk, read his or her name tag and thank them by name. I listen attentively knowing that it is such a rare experience to be heard by another. I counter my judgemental thoughts with a prayer of blessing and remember that we are all just dust or a big hot mess as my friend Amy would say. The odd thing is, being a blessing does more for me than it probably does for the one I intend to bless. And when I realize this, I too have tears in my eyes. Yes, RR, you know who you are and you indeed are a gift of God and a blessing to all who know you.
AMEN. I feel very similar about my students. I am suppose to teach and educate them but I learn so much more from them than they do from me. I love that GOD has chosen to use me in this capacity. It gives my life purpose. We has that same opportunity with IT WORKS to be a blessing.
-Love J