One of my favorite parts about summer is making a trip back
home to the glorious countryside of Mississippi. I generally fill my days
making plans with family and friends, soaking in the Mississippi sun poolside,
and gleaming over my dad’s abundance of garden vegetables. This summer, my trip
also included a visit with some family friends, catching up on ministry
successes and reminiscing about faded memories of childhood. Without getting
too sappy and sentimental, I want to share part of their story as a greater
part of the story of the Kingdom.
I first met Ricky when he came to our church as a youth
pastor. He soon met his wife and it wasn’t long before sparks were flying,
merciless teasing ensued from teenagers, and they were planning for marriage. I
was so excited when they asked me to be the flower girl, which for every seven
year old girly girl is a dream come true. I remember feeling so glamorous in my
fancy new dress with my hair pinned just like the bridesmaids and my pretty
basket of petals hanging by my side. I felt like a little princess…at least for
the first five minutes or so.
That feeling quickly evaporated and was replaced by constant
squirming and impatience. Being the well mannered little girl my mom taught me
to be, I tried to listen as my dad went on and on about marriage, trying
desperately not to wiggle and squirm, but with little avail. I watched Ricky and Kim, lost in love and
distraction, trying as hard as a little girl can not to think about my hurting feet
or how itchy my dress was all of the sudden while my dad continued to preach.
My mind wondered to the crowd, thinking how unfair it was
they got to sit in their comfortable pews and watch from afar while I stood up
close and personal. So, with very little grace and a mind of great determination,
I decided if they could sit and watch, so could I. Setting my basket of rose
petals aside, I plopped down on the front step of the stage for the duration of
the ceremony. After all, I didn’t want to miss anything! Forgetting where I was
or the wrinkling my pretty dress, I sat mesmerized by the couple before me.
While years have passed and our relationship has grown, in
many ways I am still very much that same little girl, sitting in rapt attention
before Ricky and Kim, watching as they love one another well and live out the
gospel well before others in their community and ministry. Marriage is a
ministry. It always has been. Like marriage covenants, ministry relationships
too grow from commitment, hard work, and longevity. Relationships and friendships
are the trellis that holds the vive as it grows.
Why do I share this story? Because it occurred to me while I
was having dinner with Ricky and Kim and their three boys on my trip of how
uniquely blessed I have been by their family. The same summer Ricky and Kim
married is the summer I began my relationship with the Lord. They watched,
taught, and participated in my own spiritual growth and discipleship throughout
my teen years. They were there when I was baptized. I listened to Ricky preach
his first sermon. I’ve held their infant sons and years later chased them
around their house in tickle monster wars as their babysitter. Even a few years
ago when I needed an expert puzzle master to pack as much as humanly possible
into a truck so that I could move hundreds of miles away to seminary, Ricky was
there, bungee cords and tarps in hand. Ricky and Kim have not only magnified
Christ in their marriage, but also in their discipleship and friendship to me.
For over eighteen years they have been in my life. How many youth can say the
same about their youth pastor?
It amazes me to think how often those of us committed to
ministry have a much more near sighted vision than we care to think. Every
semester I hear staggering statistics of those in ministry who leave offering
various excuses as they exit the church or walk away from difficult situations.
It is too hard. It isn’t worth it. I won’t really make a difference. This is
not what they taught me in seminary. I just can’t give up ______. However,
the moment we view ministry as a 9-5 job we lose what Christ means by forsake
it all and follow me. Ministry is a lifetime of Christian friendships, a
commitment that doesn't end when the last person pulls away from the church
parking lot. It doesn't end when ministry becomes difficult or inconvenient. It doesn't end.
Remember. Christ is worth it. His bride is worth it.
I am so blessed to have Ricky and Kim in my life, as
mentors, friends, and a gracious picture of ministry longevity. May we labor to
build kingdom ministries based on long term discipleship, of having greater
vision for those we impact for the kingdom, and always looking ahead with expectation to the day when all of the Church worships before the King. May
He increase our vision, and may we strive to serve His church with both
humility and earnest longevity.
