A delightful change of pace...

Autumn has become a difficult time of year for me. It's a season that causes me to reflect . . .  on what was . . .  or could have been . . .  which usually leads me down a path of melancholy.
However this year has given cause to ponder what is yet to come . . .  which has been a delightful change of pace. 

For the last [nearly] 2 years our church has been without an [official] pastor. We were blessed with a retired pastor that was able to fill the pulpit on [most] Sunday mornings. But the bulk of the responsibilities of the church has been fulfilled by my husband who is the Head Elder and has just finished his schooling to be a pastor and is working on getting licensed by the C & M A, and is now continuing his schooling to be ordained.

And what was the delightful change?

October is the month that churches set aside one Sunday to demonstrate their appreciation for their pastor and all his hard work and dedication. 

This past Sunday our church had a pastor appreciation dinner after the morning service, and they honored the gentleman that had been filling the pulpit,
however . . .   they included my husband and honored him as their pastor!  We sat at the table that had been set aside for their pastor.  We enjoyed many his favorite foods that the ladies had prepared especially for him and they had his favorite Bible verse on  a cake, and then we were blessed to listened as the people individually took time to stand up and thank him for all he has done these past two years . . . 

It was a humbling experience and one that caused me to contemplate where the Lord will lead us this next year or so. Now I find myself pondering my ability (in Christ) to accomplish whatever situation or position the Lord may ask of me . . .  and yet somehow this doesn't frighten me, instead I'm looking at the future with continued attention; if that makes sense. I find myself looking with hopeful expectation at what the Lord will do.  

As I read 2 Timothy 2: 6 - 7 (In the Amplified Bible),  [It is] the hard-working farmer [who labors to produce] who must be the first partaker of the fruits.

Think over these things I am saying [understand them and grasp their application], for the Lord will grant you full insight and understanding in everything.

There is an inner excitement that wells up when I consider how great our God is, because I know that I can do nothing within myself,  it will be through and by the Holy Spirit that He will enable me . . . And that excites me, for by His grace He will give me understanding and insight, in everything!  So I can stand by and on His Great Name - the name of Jesus; I have nothing to fear. . . 
 

Ephesians 3:20 - (Amplified Bible)

Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—

 What a delight it is to look forward in anticipation at what God will do!