Yesterday was one of those days that if it had occurred 30 or even 25 years ago would have left me -- if not devastated -- wiped out and discouraged. It began, moments after I arrived in the office following a week-long vacation, with a desperate call from a parent that her daughter's marriage was in trouble. Shortly afterward, I met with the husband and learned, in a very tense discussion, that infidelity was involved. Meanwhile, a recently divorced woman came to see me -- sure that her former husband would try to wile his way back into my good graces. Finally, a man called to tell me that his elderly mother had just died.
Death, divorce, and infidelity -- all in about four hours!
But all, I now know after more than 35 years in the ministry, a pretty normal part of pastoral care. And so at the end of the day, as I finally had time to think about all these crises that I had managed, I was able to smile and reflect upon the thought that what had been a very full and rather intense day -- but by no means overwhelming -- would have left me dish rag limp had it occurred toward the beginning of my ministry. Instead, I was able to commit the various crises to the Lord, deal with each one lovingly and thoughtfully, and simply thank the Lord as the day closed, for His wisdom and presence.
Experience does help!
