My Pastor Appreciation

Did you know October is Pastor Appreciation month? I don't usually keep track of these things, unless there is some sort of event or the fact that my husband IS a pastor this year! He has received a few nice cards and the church staff had a luncheon (which he wasn't able to go to because of his other job obligations), but I felt he needed a little appreciation on my end.

Now, let it be known, he will not like this blog post. He NEVER likes it to be about him, and isn't one to need a lot of pats on the back. I never understand this, because to be honest, I DO need some appreciation now and then, and he is so good about sending me nice, random texts or encouraging me in other ways. But after years of working with the youth, and almost two years of being the youth pastor, he deserves a few nice words!

Derek has always had a passion for helping, guiding, teaching, hanging out with and being an example for kids. He was going to be a teacher, but decided to take the business route so he could support his family a little easier. I think this was God building all those organizational and planning skills he now has! He manages to succeed at two jobs that require a lot of him. Here he is at the church office, with double computers, double cell phones, blue tooth in his ear and about a thousand things on his mind (I made him stop and look at me for a second, which was not a popular request, but it had to be done).

We made the decision together for him to take on this youth pastor role, and we both knew there would be sacrifices. God had prepared us for this season of life, and I knew it was totally what Derek was being called to do. The amazing thing is how when you are in the center of God's will, he supplies the strength, patience, energy, and everything else we need to get through some seriously crazy times. Some people have felt sorry for me, and I know I may have complained once or twice:), but I am so proud of him and God has blessed me through seeing the fruit of his hard work. Our kids know why he works so hard, and they can't wait to be in youth group one day!

It is true that he gets to have a fair amount of fun in this job - waterskiing, dodgeball, concerts, movies, etc. But he also comes home at times with a heavy heart and issues that he tries not to burden me with. He often has to be a tough guy, and say some very unpopular things to parents and kids. I am so impressed by this - I don't know if I could do it. But those are the kind of people that God has called to be pastors, and I have a whole new appreciation for the love they show to others, the patience they rely on, and the dedication to the God they serve.

Our family appreciates you, Derek, and we think you are pretty great.