Without going into too many details, I can tell you that my start at the new church has had it's ups and downs: moderate crisis with youth mission trip at 9:10 a.m. on my first official day, serious financial and tax situations brought to my attention 3 weeks before I started, and all 3 members of the Pastor Parish Relations committee leaving the church for different reasons, none of them being me.
On the upside, warm welcome, good worship last Sunday, beautiful stole made for me and presented on first Sunday, some financial relief headed our way, trustees taking care of tax issue, and best of all awesome volunteers taking on planning of VBS 3 weeks before it's scheduled.
I'm also planning a wedding shower for a fellow clergy woman in the area. In the last two days, I've had someone offer to make a lovely cake and someone to do games for the shower.
God provides. Why do I ever doubt, and stress, and worry, and fret, and doubt? You get the picture. If I'm going to survive and thrive in the local church without an active stomach ulcer, I'm "gonna" have to trust, and breathe, and trust, and drop my shoulders back & down, and trust, and smile, and trust, and pray in gratitude.
God of love, forgive my doubt. Help me O Lord, in my unbelief. Remind me Lord of the joy of serving you in this place and help me be thankful. Amen.
