Pastor Appreciation

October is Pastor Appreciation month.  This is a time that we can express to our pastor how much we appreciate all that he does.  Many times we take him for granted and have unrealistic expectations, or set him on a pedestal that he is sure to fall off of.  He has a job that is his life, he takes little time off and never clock out.

He is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; in the middle of the night or right before dinner.  We may never know what our emergency has interrupted in his life because he will never tell.  No matter how he is feeling he always has a smile and an outstretched arm.  No matter how busy he is he will always say, “Come in” to a knock on the office door.  He will put on his work boots and hammer a nail.  He will climb a ladder to get the job done, even if he is afraid of heights.  He will sing, play the guitar, piano, or box drum to help the praise team if they need it.  He will join the kids for a game of kick ball even if he ends up with a cracked rib.  He allows youth boys to preach who feel called to ministry, believing in them and encouraging them to follow God.  If we go to him with our problems, he never judges, he truly wants to help us successfully overcome.  He remembers our name, our struggles, and our pain and he prays for us daily.  He studies Gods word and prays for God’s guidance to lead us in truth.  He teaches in a way that is understandable and applicable to our lives.  He has a heart that desires God; all of Him.  He is transparent about his struggles and honest about his flesh.  He has sincere, unconditional love that is felt in everything he does.  If this sounds like your pastor, you are blessed to have him.  Pray for him and his family every day and love him unconditionally in return.

Sharon Hoskins