Give Us This Day (Part 4)

I am pretty comfortable now with God’s daily provision of physical needs, with God’s daily timing of circumstance and with God’s orchestration of circumstances so that at just the right time He brings understanding.

All of these things are needed and ultimately show God’s watch over me and I like that. Some require more patience than others and we all struggle in different ways with each of these daily provisions. But I believe I am growing and learning to be patient and even get excited when God makes me wait a little more than I want because I know what’s coming from His hand is good.

However, there is another “Give us this day…” that I am learning to appreciate although some days more hesitantly than others as I open my eyes to another new day.

“Give us this day…PEOPLE!”

Yes, I believe that each day God selects the people we will encounter and He gives them to us for various reasons. Some are given to encourage us and to build us up, some are given to challenge us in patience, grace and civility. Some are given to teach us through knowledge, others to teach us through character, while others are given to us to walk along a unique path for just a short part of the day. While others seem to hang on to the very edges of every waking moment and seem to never tire of bringing us to the edge of ourselves and make us question everything we know to be true thus far in life.

As a pastor’s wife, I have heard some of the most curious things from people:

• • “I don’t care what others say, I like you.”
  • “You don’t seem to be a difficult person.”
  • “You are the worst pastor’s wife I ever met.”
  • “I can’t believe people don’t like you.”

And then the kindest of words that soothe the wounds:

• • “I can see that your husband loves and respects you greatly.”
  • “I hope you never leave us, we love you being here.”
  • “You do (that) well, would you show me how?”

To trust God for groceries, timing and understanding seems easy compared to what can come when we trust Him with people in our lives. But we learn to do just that. I am learning to do just that.

I am learning that God knows the balance of what builds me up, what’s tears me down, what fills me, what drains me, and what I want and what I need. He knows when I need the kind words of support and when I can handle the harsh words of criticism. He knows when I need to rub up against a prickly person and when I need to be polished with a fine grade finishing sandpaper. He knows when I need a splash of color that I never wear and most times pass over and when I need the predictability of a “safe go to” choice of person. He knows how to blend my days and ultimately my entire life of people to compliment what He wants to do in me and through me.

So, my challenge to each of us in ministry is to wake up each morning and be excited about the people God has chosen for “this day” and when it’s time to sleep, be thankful for the bountiful way He has orchestrated our day full of people.

Ministry has many lonely moments for a pastor’s wife, but learning to appreciate the people around us will give us something to think about when we are most lonely.

God sees us when we are truly alone, when we are surrounded by people, and when we are lonely.

He sees us every day.

So, I say “Give us this day…PEOPLE”!

— Patti

I love what Patti shared today and there is so much truth to ponder. Let’s thank God for the people He puts in our lives, and that includes those that are prickly.

Remember, we are here to walk this ministry journey with you in any way you need.