Another installment of Five-Minute Friday where bloggers are invited to free write for 5 minutes of the word prompt given. Lisa-Jo Baker invites us to join this weekly community. For more information or to read other FMF posts, click here.
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Encourage? Really? Today? Sorry, but I’m feeling a bit out of encouragement today. It’s been a tough week in ministry. Oops, we don’t say tough, we say challenging, right? No, I’m too raw for the nice words. This week has kicked me in teeth, or someplace much lower.
Recovery ministry is people ministry and people have problems and life gets harder some days and we have to smile and encourage them. It’s in the job description somewhere, I’m sure. It’s one of my spiritual gifts even and sorry, the sweet smile and ‘atta boy’ is empty today. Thankful I don’t have to be there face to face today. They tell me my face shows it all and I don’t want to share my heavy heart today.
Yet, there’s still something inside that is the smallest of sparks that makes me know I’ll keep doing this. This life, the hard stuff, the relapses and the grief and dirty and the ugly sides of them and me, yep, you don’t scare me. You deflate me and bring sorrow and you keep me in prayer for you. For us. Because in the midst of my lack, He has more. And His more is His grace and it’s the only encouragement I need.
Living In Graceland 
I feel what you have said. To have someone close to you take a step backwards that will rob them of their joy, and hope and stregnth is no fun. It hurts deep and brings our own sorrow for the one we love. This is what I do know, my resolve to continue on does not rest in anothers failure. Their pain and suffering becomes a catylist to drive me on to encourage, challenge, push those of whom I still can influence to find victory through perserverence. I will not become weary in well doing for the victory is sure and the one who promises is Christ. We will and have reached out to our broken friend and have expressed our love and challenged him to seek help now and take responsibility for the stumble. “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” Proverbs 24:16
As a teacher, there are so many discouraging things/days. The stuff. It hurts. You wonder if you are where you are supposed to be. If you really matter. Some days are so “challenging” as you said and you just feel like you don’t have any more to give. But something happens. God speaks and makes all things new!
Thanks for sharing1
Thank you Natasha. We’ve all been there. What’s the old song that says “mama says there’d be days like this”? I’m thankful I have a hope that is eternal.
Debby, so sorry to hear it’s been a rough week. I can only imagine all you’re facing.
I remember during my first year of teaching in the inner-city, when I felt like I was drowning and out of hope, I sought counsel from an older teacher. He said, “just persevere.” And I was like, “really, that’s the best you’ve got??” 🙂
It seems like it would be that way with your line of work–just persevering, enduring, by His grace. Bless you, friend!
Thanks for stopping by Jenn. Yes, it is only by grace and like Ann Voskamp says, “all is grace”. And it is.
I too am sorry to hear you’ve had a rough week. We all know what that’s like. Praying for encouragement to come your way even if it’s just the tiny little glimmer of hope. But those dark days of disappointment sure do make the blessed days seem so much better.
I don’t think it helped any that the “bug” that’s been shared around the Center and that Henry had finally got to me. Head cold just added to the load. Feeling better today, at least on the mend. I know in this area of service there are many ups and downs. I always know that all are held by God and release them to Him. I just needed to let it out a bit today. Not my usual. Thank you for your words of encouragement. I have appreciated every one.
Henri Nouwen calls it the ministry of suffering. Ministry is not a special calling, only a special pain. The impact you have on others is special. When I lose someone in recovery I always go back to that one person who I thought would never be able to get sober or the next guy in our lobby who is hopeless. Keep trudging the road of recovery.
Nouwen is one of my favorites, Chris. And that quote is so true. Thanks. This community is the best group of encouragers and I appreciate your encouragement just now. This mornings time of testimony was awesome and just what we all needed. Thanks again.
I have “secretly” read your blogs over the last couple of months; It has encouraged me especially with your level of honesty and vulnerability. I think it is a perfect platform. Keep shining and influencing others.