Ministry of Presence
I prayed with a family this morning who’s dad will face cancer surgery in a few hours.
I’ll grab his kids for lunch today. We’ll eat tacos and burritos, laugh, get serious for a bit. We’ll talk about stuff both meaningful and trivial. We’ll pray.
I used to call a day like this a ‘wasted day’ because I won’t get a lot done today. At least measurable stuff…like sermon notes, sermon slides, or youth planning.
But I know better now. I guess part of it is getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. Just walking alongside someone without really bringing anything to the table. I know my awkwardness is nothing to the pain and crisis they are dealing with.
The other part of it is just knowing Jesus better and realizing he’s got the Savior of the World position covered so I don’t have to worry about being that. My senior pastor in Kansas (Al Areheart) taught me that – just show up and pray. Be there. Let Jesus be Jesus, you just be there. That’s enough.
Al called it the ministry of presence. How right he was.
6 Responses to “Ministry of Presence”
You’ve walked alongside us in those times, and you do it very well! God definitely uses you more than you may realize!
The “ministry of presence….” I like that!
..People don’t care so much about what you know. They care about how much you care.
You do that very well.
anyone can show up, pray and leave. it takes a Minister to show up, pray with the family, doctors and nurses before a baby is stillborn, as you did in our situation. the world needs more relational ministers. (and caed would’ve been two last sunday…its insane that its been that long!)
This is why I have many late nights where I have to get the busy work done.
Late nights…yep, me too. Nice to know you’ll be up with me, Tony!
Ann – I still have no words. I love you and Heath to pieces.
the ministry of presence… that’s beautiful.
Thanks, I needed that.