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| Cassidy helping Daddy during the opening exercises before Sunday School |
Our family lives for Sunday. Literally. All week long we prepare for Sunday be it through prayer, visitation, preparing lessons, laundry, cooking, etc. All of you who are in the ministry full time know what I mean. Most people look forward to Friday's because it is pay day. Well, Sunday is our payday. Sunday is the day when all of our work throughout the week comes to fruition. I hesitate to say it that way because some Sundays it is just our family (in Sunday school) plus one (during the main service). I say that I hesitate in putting it that way because we cannot measure here on earth what has eternal value. It doesn't always show up on the Sunday after.
"Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." - 1 Corinthians 3:13-15
BUT Sunday is a day of celebration for our family. We have purposed to make it that way. Undoubtedly one or both of the girls will do something that deserves correction - I warn them in my most severe mommy voice and put off what we call "MRS. Rosey" if at all possible. Undoubtedly my husband (who is focused on his message and the events of the day) will be a little curt with me or say something that down right hurts my feelings; but I smile and give him a sincere hug and kiss anyway. I don't bring up heavy {or even light} topics that can wait. ( If it's really important I try to write it down on our dry erase board on the frig. so I don't forget.) I try to make the most of our crock pot for Sunday's lunch. And last but not least, I cook - I use that word very loosely - a light and quick breakfast {lately its been Smoothie Sunday - I throw a some fruit, yogurt, and juice in a blender and pour!}.
We have been in Newport as Pastor and Pastor's wife and kids for nearly two years now (August is our official anniversary). We have had some very exciting Sunday's and some that have left us a little discouraged. People have made promises and not kept them, while others have not promised; but have been a tremendous blessing. In our personal lives we have seen the Lord do some wonderful, and I would even say miraculous things; but the church has seemingly been in a dry spell. No souls saved (at church and those who do pray on soul winning and visitation disappear). No one baptised. No one making earth shaking decisions for Christ. No visitors. No one joining the church.
These past two week have definitely been different. One family of four has been visiting and has talked to my husband about joining our church! One of our church members has had a very close friend visit, get saved, and ask about getting baptised possibly as early as this coming Sunday. (We have been praying for this particular friend for about two years.) Another family of four has visited us two weeks in a row! No one in our number invited them. They just showed up and have been a blessing during the services - even their teenagers have been a blessing and seem to enjoy church! Our members have been faithful and almost on-time two weeks in a row. (If you go to a "Black" church you know that is truly a blessing!) Their are other things I could list, but I won't because they are private or because I don't want to steal all my husband's thunder for the next prayer letter.
As far a I know my husband and I have not changed anything. We still go visiting two or three times a week. We have still been praying for each of our services and Newport in general. It seems God has decided to open up a window of blessing, now all we have to do is try and be ready to receive it. We covet your prayers!
Until next time,
2 comments:
Thanks for this post, Tinyla. I am so glad that the Lord has given ya'll some encouragement there. I know my sister and brother-in-law feel the same many times. Their church is very small and has been for many years. It's so good when God lets you know He's still at work! I will pray!
Thanks Jessi!
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