Dear Shepherdess: A friend of mine wrote her thoughts in dialog form one day when the going was a bit rough for her pastor-husband and herself. I'm sure many of us have suffered justly or unjustly at the hands of a well-meaning parishioner and had similar thoughts.
"It is Satan's studied plan to bring discouragement to us all," but "after talking to God He gives one strength and spirit to meet genuinely any situation."
Our message will go to the world when we all give our witness not only of the doctrines, important as they are, but also that Jesus is our personal Saviour. The resulting joy will not be dependent on things around us or on what people say about us. Our joy will come from within. Such a person cannot be made miserable. Let us thank God for trials. As Barbara Folkenberg says, "Thank God for the black packages we receive, as well as the shiny, beautiful pack ages." We will be brought closer to God, who wishes us to be polished and re fined for the home He is preparing for us.
This month we are also sharing with you another talk that was given at the General Conference session in Vienna by Mrs. C. D. Henri, whose husband is one of the vice-presidents of the General Conference.— With love, Kay
Me: I don't want to go to church this morning, God.
God: Why not?
Me: I don't think they want me there.
God: What makes you think that?
Me: Haven't you heard the telephone ringing and what people are saying?
God: What do you mean?
Me: All the things about my loved one— his sermons are no good, he is not preaching enough about You, his ways are not what they want, his eyes do not look at them as they want. God, if they do not like him, they do not like me, be cause we are of one flesh!
God: Child, do you remember when I was here on this earth? They wagged their finger at Me. They called Me blasphemous. They spit on Me. How much more do you want Me to remind you of?
Me: I remember, Lord. But You had the Father speak to You from heaven. You had John, who loved You so ...
God: Just a minute. You have Danny, who always says hello and plants pretty flowers around the church. You have Jeanne and Vie, who always smile sweetly; you have Ben, who always says, "Good morning, Mrs. Pastor. It is nice to see you." You have Robert, who is always kind. You have Richard, who is precious. You have . . .
Me: I guess it is only one or two, Lord, that don't want me there.
God: Yes, and maybe they have their problems of being wanted and loved. Will you go to church for Me? You see, I can't be in My fullest presence at church without you.
Me: Why not, God?
God: I have chosen that My way be known through you, My child. I have chosen My love to be shown through your smile. I have chosen My joy to be shown through your happy heart. I have chosen My patient endurance or longsuffering to be shown by your enduring trustworthy friendship. I have chosen My gentleness to be shown through your sweet tone of voice in spite of what others may say. I have chosen My goodness to be shown through your treating poor, rich, friend, foe, old, young, as My sons and daughters. I have chosen My faith to be shown through you that I have given you eternal life and will very soon return for you. I have chosen My meekness to be shown through you by listening carefully to those who are talking to you whether it is kind or unkind. I have chosen My temper ance to be shown through you by your healthy, vibrant body and your daily care of it. These are My gifts to you. Will you now go to church with Me?
