Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Just gotta say....

I've got to get something off my chest. Will you just sit back and listen and say something real sweet at the end of this very short post? K, thanks.

Welcome to Fran's small pity party. It won't be that fun. But, I think you'll understand.

I work for my church. I'm over Children's Ministry. Its a complete blessing. However.......

I have to work every single Sunday. Yes, I know I signed up for this, but I'm just about being real in 2009. I don't get to go to classes on Sunday's or Wednesday's. I don't get to really just "be" in a worship service because my mind is on the job at task. It's been nearly 5 years.

Play the violins. I hear them. I'm actually sick of them.

So....how do I get fed? I LIVE off Him, His Word, and Bible study. My Bible study group (which varies on who is in the group from study to study) mean the world to me. They have no idea how much they feed this tired and weary soul. I could probably stand to be in a couple. Ha!

I hope you get what I'm saying. I just didn't realize how dry I was or how hungry I stay.

All this to say....I love my Bible study group. You mean the world to me. And, you had no idea.
Please don't stop coming!

I hope you have a small group, Bible study group, or some kind of close knit something or nother that feeds you too.

Hugs and blessings~

15 comments:

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

I hear you, Fran. My husband was a pastor for years and years and years, and I was so thankful for a group of friends that ministered to the minister (and family!). They are special people indeed, and you MUST have them in your life.

I'm glad you have people that encourage you that way.

Unknown said...

Wow. I guess I never thought of it that way. Here I get mad at working and missing every other Wednesday. Struggling to feel accepted have thought of leaving my own bible study group. Thank you. You have given me a new appreciation for my churches Childrens Pastor. I now know how to better pray for him. I never really thought about the sacrifice that he makes all the time.

Now an encouraging word for you, while you may be dry and parched, you make such a difference to the kids, and you are making an eternal difference in lives where they may not get fed anywhere else. That is worth your sacrifice, even when it gets tough. I hope that you continue to be fed from your small group and that at some point find someone that you can delegate responsibilities with so that you can escape to service once in awhile. Stay strong.

BethAnne said...

I'm glad you mentioned the violins, I thought I was the only one who was hearing them......

Dont feel guilty about what your are saying here...we all need to be fed - no pity party in that!

Darlene R. said...

Oh Fran, I am so in the same boat with you...again! My husband and I rotate every other month with our youth pastor on Sunday mornings and do children's church. We started helping him because he was ALWAYS out of the service. We miss services a month at a time because of that. We also help in the Wednesday night kid's club, so we miss prayer meeting, too. We had snow tonight, so they didn't have the kid's meetings, so I actually got to hear a message! :)
It is hard, and I will add this to my prayer list. I love having specifics to pray for. :)

Love ya!
Darlene

Lisa said...

Been there, done that, have the same T-shirt. We can become so busy in Ministry, that we lose sight of the prize. God knows your sacrifice, He knows you're weary and He has heard your cry. Allow Him to minister to you as you seek His face. I find that waking up 30 minutes early on Sunday will allow me to watch a Pastor/Service on TV that feeds my soul before Church. It can help to fil that gap. I'm praying for you - Lisa

Melinda said...

AMEN AND AMEN! I don't know where I'd be without my Wednesday Girls - it's being part of a small group of believers that you can do life with and dig deep with that really helps you grow, and, well, stay sane!

Consider us blog girls a small group of sorts, girl - we love you and we'll bring cheese dip and chocolate to your pity party any time. :o)

beckyjomama said...

Oh, Frannie - I have been there. I ran the children's ministry - while I was on the praise team and a youth leader. I NEVER got to hear an entire message or sit in for an entire service. So, I hear ya. And I commend ya, I only lasted 1 year, you have been there for 5. Just know that you are being covered in prayer.

Plus I have one word fo ryou (and I know it aint easy, because it was the one word that everyone always had for me ...) - DELEGATE.

And, you do need a get away ... possibly to frosty MI.

Lova ya Girl!

Jenny said...

Fran, I love how real you are. I so admire your honesty and transparency. It is what makes you such a mighty vessel!

I'll pray for you, dear friend. Praise the Lord for your Bible study ladies... it is so great to have friends that can "feed" you. God is not forgetting about you. He loves you and wants you just as much as the non-church employees :)

Deep breaths... love you.
Jen

Michelle V said...

Fran,

I often think about our church staff and the fact that they work so hard on Sunday and don't get to sit in worship service and enjoy it! I'm praying for you!

Blessings
Michelle

Patty said...

I was just having this talk with a friend of mine but she is the one doing a lot of different things in the church. After all that was said, I asked her if she was struggling spiritually and she quickly said, yes. She said her worship is suffering to. I asked her if she liked doing all the different things at church or if God even called her to it and she said no and she only loved one thing and that was Children's Choir. I felt so sorry for her but I felt empathy to. I have been there where she is at and where you are at and I understand! I know that is the reason God has me in this season of rest in the church right now and I needed it. I fought it but I needed it. :)
I am so happy that you have your group, there is just something about being a part of a small group.
I am doing Esther by myself right now but I think that is what God has called me to for this season.
Believe it or not it helps to discuss on our blogs. :)) I can't wait until we start discussing Esther on the Siesta blog.
Love you,
Patty

Susan said...

I'm the office manager at our church. I hear ya, Siesta! The "rule" (set by the personnel committee) is that Sunday I am off-limits. But all that really means is that folks just approach me by first saying, "I know it's your day off but..." and then they go right on telling me about something, asking me to do something, etc.

I have to admit that my response, at times, has been to stop going to Sunday school and church, stop going on Wednesday nights.

Without my quiet time in the morning and my bible study girls...I would have stopped going to church. Period.

I am so glad that you have your girls, too...

Love ya.

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

You didn't whine at all. I work for a church, too, and sometimes you have to shake yourself up a little bit to snap back to life spiritually. Or something like that. Anyway ... did you go to the hair wizard yet?

A Stone Gatherer said...

Girl, girl, girl I so know your pain and frustration! I to love most aspects of my job, but sunday's are for working and running! I look so forward to Bible Study which is where I get my meat! Just know I understand!

Anonymous said...

Yes, you need food too. Maybe there are other ways to sneak in a good Word, and be fed. I had a friend who is a priest, and she takes Monday as her Sabbath, and is able to rest and be still officially then. Worship is everywhere though. Read Brother Lawrence lately? Might be something you'd enjoy. It's online somewhere free. Love you, Girl. Annette

Anonymous said...

You are such a blessing to our church and to me! Thank you for all that you do for our children at church. You inspire my sweet Caroline (and me) to want to know and love Jesus more and more everyday. You are precious and I love you!


I blog so you can get a glimpse into my life as wife, mom of 3 boys, and someone who simply wants to bless others along the way. Have fun and be sweet :)


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