I was going to try to use this to blog only when I had good and wonderful things to say but I'm really just in shock of what I heard about happening to our friends and I just need to vent a bit.
Our pastor friends have felt God lead them to move to Alaska. He was sent to the church he is in to build and kept getting shot down-God will only let you say no to Him before moving the one He put in charge right?
So I'm a little emotional but who am I to argue with God about where they should be? I called to invite them over for a dinner with us and their kids. They have a 17 year old (who happens to be our oldest daughter's boyfriend) and a 15 year old girl still at home. I was at the office when they came over for dinner but my husband said we had to go to Seattle and he would explain later. Well as you can imagine, with all the arrangments to move somewhere where there are no roads, minds were busy and overwhelmed. Our friend didn't realize he couldn't pull their SUV on a trailer behind the moving truck.
We offer to help and it's a good thing. The wife just had knee surgery so it would just be the Dad and the daughter (son is staying behind to complete an intern-like job until August) unloading ALL their stuff from the moving truck into the POD. We thought about just one of us driving up and then flying back but it would be nice to get away together, even if just for a few days so we decided I would drive our van and hubby will drive their rig. We leave tomorrow, unload Tuesday and come home Wednesday after telling them goodbye. :( I'm tearing up already.
So they have been using the last month to pack, yard sale, decide what goes, what stays etc. It's a big job considering they can't drive the stuff TO their new place. He also kept up his duties at the church-even preaching today. Well they announced that they would need help Saturday at the house to load the truck. Less than 15 people showed up. They didn't get it finished in time. Thankfully the lady doing announcements got up and said by the way, we REALLY need your help so they can get on the road Monday. A few more showed up and they were able to get the truck loaded but I am just so hurt that a church family they have led for over 5 years would not show up to help them. My mind is just boggled. He's been their shepard! There for weddings, funerals, sick children and parents, youth campouts, mens retreats, dogsitting and everything in-between...
I don't know how they felt but I can't help being hurt. I feel like those people should be ashamed of themselves. If my family were part of a church where the Pastor asked for help, we would have been there at 9am instead of the set 1pm. I just don't get people. Where is their sense of respect and honor for their leaders?
I can't imagine loving and caring for people when they need you and then when you need them, only a small handful of women and elderly men are to be found!
And because you will ask why we weren't there...our oldest daughter was there, my MIL was there and we felt like we needed to let the church family help. Had we known then and not found out at 7pm tonight...We've also been over several days the last month on different occassions. We will also be the only ones helping them unload a 26' truck into a POD...
Isn't this how you show you care and appreciate others by helping them in need?
Ok. Now I am caught up. I am amazed and your spirit and attitude. You are doing amazing Chair. I am so proud of you. You have come so far just in the last year. I agree with you about the helping out. It is sad that some do not consider an honor to help out others. We were so blessed to have family that taught us better. The only thing we can do is live by example and hopefully others will follow that example. Remember who will reap the blessing.
ReplyDeleteLove ya.
See you next week.
Rachael