Well, I can breathe once more. My main women's Christmas outreach is over...and very successfully! Let me tell you, this was probably my most stressful EVER in 18 years. And I know the enemy wanted it that way, because God had much up His sleeve to do in women's lives.
Just 24 hours before, due to various circumstances, we had several people back out of hostessing tables. My leadership team was absolutely shocked out of our wits that this was happening and we began the scramble to make up for it. We were overbooked already by 10 people and all of us had planned to stand anyway...so technically we needed four tables but we had been holding off just due to none of us wanting the extra burden at the time with so many other things to do for the evening -- we would have rather just stood. Well...the scramble began...
Here I was at 9 PM flying around town finding bouquets of white flowers...lemon curd for scones, non-alcoholic champagne, etc. etc. I mean, I had my work cut out for me. We were (unexpectedly) setting up china and stemware on the tables at 11 PM...and I'm thinking, "dear Lord, I'm supposed to be reading my sermon again and praying, not doing this right now..." BUT...
God had it all in control. By the next night, it was literally four hours of straight perfection. It went off without a hitch, and no one in the place would have known that anything happened "last minute". It was so beautiful!!! We had a violin player at the door playing Christmas carols, and we had luminaries lining the parking lot. Then they came in greeted by one of our hostesses and a doorman in tuxedo directing them to the main building. Then when they came into our banquet room, we had one of our guys in tuxedo playing the piano. And of course every table looked just exquisite!!! Best of all, the Lord showed up after the message and many lives were touched, of which I'm still hearing many comments about!!!!! GOD IS SO GOOD.
Ladies, I know you are stressed about things upcoming that you have going on and wondering if it will all pan out in the end. Trust me, just like Christmas cantatas or whatever, it really does all go well in the end!!! No matter how bleak it looks even 24 hours before!!!
Now I just have 2 more ministry things I have to get through successfully before Dec. 25 and I'm not worrying about them ANYMORE! I refuse to do it!!!
Tonight is our pastoral staff/admin. staff/board banquet of which I always plan and serve as hostess...and you know what, I'm not going to worry about a thing. Even if something goes awry last minute, we'll just act like we planned it. Well, I'm off to wrap the gifts for tonight....
I'll be praying for all of you as you navigate through this busy season. YOU'LL DO GREAT whether it be a cantata, kids program, banquet, speaking engagement, women's meeting, just know the Lord will come through for you!!!
Wow! See? So I guess I can tell DH to quit fussing at everyone over the details. It has all fallen into place so far, God wants it done, so, it will be done. Dh just has the "fiddle factor" real bad! He has to fiddle with everything until it's perfect, or no good anymore! Love, lw
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...... Then they came for the Catholics, and I was a Protestant, so I never said anything. And then, they came for ME, and there was no one left to speak up. Martin Neimoller, German Pastor, WW2
As I told DH this weekend, "I'm back with a vengeance, and the world had better watch out!"
This nervous, cowardly, sniveling person that I've been lately is NOT me, and God showed me through DH why I have been this way lately. I've been stunted - emotionally and spiritually - from an incident that happened to me a long time ago, and it's time to just let it go and move on.
We have our Christmas program next weekend - we're doing a variety show with acts performed by church members of all ages - and we've already gotten some criticism that some of the youth group girls are doing a "secular" Christmas song (Jingle Bell Rock). WHATEVER! The lady who did the nit-picking can't say too much - it's her granddaughters doing it, lol!! Just a week ago, I'd have been freaking out and worrying that I was going to lose my job. Not likely. Our senior pastor and his wife are more excited about this show than anyone, and the majority of the congregation is pretty excited.
To add to what Deanna has said, remember that GOD has called you to your ministry - and if you are walking with Him and doing what He has told you to do, it will all be okay!!
Puppetmaster -- it really seems like you have some pharaisaical folks in your church...just real "religiosity"...am I correct in that assumption or is it something different? I am not there so I don't truly know but from what you describe it seems like you have some religious type folks really nitpicking and trying to run the show.
Just keep going...don't let the critics get to you. You're God's anointed. Stand in the anointing. Walk in the anointing.
I ran into someone like this the other day after church. She is one of these 11th hour people. She will let others do all the hard work for months, then come in and critisize, step in, take over, and according to her, save the day on everything. While most of us who work behind the scenes do so due to his call, she always appears, to some of us ,to do it for the adulation, and to take credit where it is not due. Is this sort of thing what you are dealing with? lw
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...... Then they came for the Catholics, and I was a Protestant, so I never said anything. And then, they came for ME, and there was no one left to speak up. Martin Neimoller, German Pastor, WW2
quote: Originally posted by: Deanna "Puppetmaster -- it really seems like you have some pharaisaical folks in your church...just real "religiosity"...am I correct in that assumption or is it something different? I am not there so I don't truly know but from what you describe it seems like you have some religious type folks really nitpicking and trying to run the show. Just keep going...don't let the critics get to you. You're God's anointed. Stand in the anointing. Walk in the anointing. Love you, me"
Deanna - Actually, it was the same person I've been dealing with (the gossipy board member!). So, no, we really don't have a church FULL of religious, pharaisaical people. Just one with a big mouth! And I finally came to the conclusion that when Jesus comes, this lady is going to put her hands on her hips and say, "What took you so long?" She is just never happy! At least in this case, she actually went to my DH, who is organizing the Christmas program, instead of someone else. I suppose I can view this as a positive change . But we had a good laugh about it: She came to HIM, of all people, to gossip about her granddaughters!! And she did precede it with a "I guess I'm just old-fashioned, but..."
quote: Originally posted by: LW "Puppetmaster: I ran into someone like this the other day after church. She is one of these 11th hour people. She will let others do all the hard work for months, then come in and critisize, step in, take over, and according to her, save the day on everything. While most of us who work behind the scenes do so due to his call, she always appears, to some of us ,to do it for the adulation, and to take credit where it is not due. Is this sort of thing what you are dealing with? lw"
She really isn't like that...she is more of a person who likes to complain and have something to be all upset about. If there isn't controversy, she'll create some. But we're all just sort of laughing at her over this one.
But yeah, my mom has dealt with people like that in her church for years - drives her nuts! They had a huge blowout two years ago about letting women on the board. Apparently, the women who they wanted (her included!) could do all the work of a board member, but as far as giving them the actual TITLE, no, that was wrong. I'm so excited to tell some of those people (this is the church I grew up in) when I get my credentials, lol!
...... Then they came for the Catholics, and I was a Protestant, so I never said anything. And then, they came for ME, and there was no one left to speak up. Martin Neimoller, German Pastor, WW2
. But we had a good laugh about it: She came to HIM, of all people, to gossip about her granddaughters!! And she did precede it with a "I guess I'm just old-fashioned, but..."
