Whose encouragement has helped you determine what really matters?
I was raised Roman Catholic and converted to Lutheran in my 20s. It was a very difficult move, as many incredible priests, nuns, teachers and family members nurtured me in my faith and surrounded me with great love and kindness. One priest in particular, Father Bob, made a tremendous impact upon me. He was my high school chaplain, and I joined his parish as a teenager. He took every opportunity to raise me up to leadership in worship and music, in youth ministry, and in service of the wider church.
My own father had died when I was six, and Father Bob was a surrogate father to me. He deeply understood my need to be nurtured by the safety of a father’s love. He was an integral part of my family.
One day, he quoted Paul’s prayer for the Philippians, gave thanks for partnering together in God’s work of grace, and expressed that he held me in his heart and wanted what was best for me. When I told him that I needed to leave the Roman Catholic church, he understood; he didn’t want me to be held back from my call to pastoral leadership. He blessed me and urged me to keep focused on what really matters.
God of grace, thank you for all the partners you provide to encourage us in our journey. Amen. —