Both yesterday and today, my dear wife and peppy little puppy and I went on walks. Long walks. The days have been beautiful. The sun has been shining (intermittently. But hey, this is Oregon!). The trees are budding. The flowers are blooming. And colors are everywhere. It's enough to make someone feel so blessed to be alive.
But then I looked at the people. Despite the glorious weather and bountiful beauty, if facial expressions and body language mean anything, they are so... so... what's the word? Sad? Depressed? Troubled? Burdened?
Which I understand. I mean, these are challenging times. In our small town, lots of people have been out of work for a long, long time. And those fortunate to have jobs are worried about losing their jobs. Alcohol-related accidents and crimes are on the rise. The incidence of domestic violence is measurably on the increase. I get that. All of that.
That's not what's laying me so low. It's the children. Sad-looking children. Children who should otherwise be spending their Saturday laughing and jumping and running and yelling and climbing around the playground equipment at the park we just visited. But they seemed subdued somehow. Their giddiness gone. Their emotional energy depleted. The countenance crestfallen.
Sorry about this. I surely don't mean to depress you. That's not what this is all about. It is about this personal epiphany that I had in the park this day... The day I no longer feel for the people around me is the day I lose my edge as a pastor.
Jesus felt it. Boy did He feel it. "Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36).
So what's a pastor to do? Especially a "Happy Pastor"? Here's what I am going to do: 1. Hug my newborn granddaughter a little tighter and hold her a little closer. 2. Relish every moment God gives me to enjoy my family. 3. Thank God for His many blessings in my life. 4. Pray for my neighbors like never before. 5. Actively look for opportunities to spread a little good cheer around -- like a smile when I pass someone by, a sincere word of friendly greeting, an opportunity to praise someone for doing a kind thing or saying a kind word, let a child pet my puppy and feel an inward glow when that simple act brings a great big smile to his or her face.
Little things all. Simple things. But simple things that can bring some light to an otherwise darkened soul. "Dear God, let me be that light."
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2 comments:
I so know what you mean Dewey. Even living in So. Cal, people I see every day have this same countenance. I even see it at church. The seriousness, the lack of smiles. My heart is burdened for the people. But I have the joy of Jesus in my heart and I will give my all to spread that joy as you do. Thank you for your blog.
This is so true Dewey. It can be really depressing when you look deeply at what is happening around you. Sometimes I will just stop and people watch,, I see people in a hurry,grumpy,not stopping to consider anything but there agenda for the day, ignoring those in need around them, yearning for someone to believe in them, and on and on. .. Since you are such a thinker,and so compassionate it is no wonder that it touches your heart and soul. If it didn't , then you should step back and wonder. :) I agree completely that sharing kindness even with just a smile is so important. There are so many people out there who are hurting . It may be the only nice thing that person sees or experiences that day. I have been struggling lately with this sort of thing as well. All spazzed out and excited about the bible and my relationship with Jesus being rekindled like a fire nearly burnt out that just lit back up for the first time in years.I Wonder and agonize how to reach out to friends who aren't believers or who believe but are just muddling along in life not nurturing their faith or putting any importance on their relationship with Christ. Hey I have of course been there for years and years. Just like smokers don't want to hear from there friends who have quit,So many of my friends "hate" the idea of church, are completely put off if I try to talk about the bible and many feel that if God is so good,, why does he allow the suffereing ,, esspecially on large scale disasters and such. I don't know how to answer,, I don't know what to say. And therefore I worry that I am not helping.
But what I will say is that you have a special gift from God that shines like a light in the deepest darkest places. I don't think you realize how deeply you touch people and how amazingly you are able to teach the bible. I have never looked forward to learning about the bible so much in my life ever. And I hope you know that while you can not save everyone,, you have a hand in saving so many. So yes,, smile and greet others who are down , depressed ,staring off sadly, hurting and angry. but try not to get down about things you cannot control. And know that you do change lives,,, you just cannot change everyones.
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