Pastor 24/7

I am absolutely exhausted again today. One of our young couples, good friends of mine and part of our church, found out earlier this week that the baby she was carrying had died inside her. So last night she was scheduled for a DNC. I went in with her mother and met the young woman in emergency with her husband. They wanted us to stay with them, so we did. We talked the whole evening away, trying to help distract her from her pain. The emergency room was insane. As always, the staff was overworked and understaffed. Things kept getting postponed and postponed until she was finally tentatively promised midnight. At 12:25 a.m. she was wheeled into the operating room. Less than an hour later we were by her side to comfort her. She was already waking up and talking. This family has been through so much in the past couple of months it’s crazy. This young couple is devastated. There are no words! They told me that for Lent they’re giving up hope. I get that.

I finally got home at 2:30 a.m. Lisa and I talked over a drink until nearly 4 a.m. We are overcome with the level of loss and grief our church is suffering right now. Being a pastor is that: being. It’s not a nine-to-fiver. The other day, someone told me that they heard a preacher say that 2007 is going to be the year of the Lord’s favor. I said I’ve heard that every year now for a decade. Jesus said that he proclaimed the year of the Lord’s favor. It is NOW. Every year is. Like it or lump it! Right now I feel like having a huge, fattening breakfast. Something fried!

A friend of mine got two tickets to the Saint John Annual Wine Fair. He’s taking me because his wife doesn’t like red wine. I’m his date! We went last year and had a blast. I’m looking forward to it. Hundreds of wines to try. Lisa’s taking us there, dropping us off and picking us up when it’s over for reasons that don’t need explaining.

PS: I want to thank everyone for your wonderful comments, thoughts and prayers on my blog. I read every one of them and try to respond personally to every one of them. I honestly appreciate you all.