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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Pastor (11/30/06)
I walk to my church office through a crisp wind. It’s a long walk, nearly three miles, but I crave the clarity that is borne on the breeze. My shoes on the sidewalk mark out a prayer of four beats: Lord…I…need…You…left, right, left, right. It is the only prayer my spirit knows on this frosty morning.

I’m not sure that I’m doing what the Lord has called me to do. I’m confident of His call, have never doubted my longing to introduce lonely and hurting people to my best Friend. But being a pastor seems to be hindering my mission; constant quibbles and controversies fill my hours and obscure my vision. Sometimes I strain even to see His face.

Arriving at the office, I see the light blinking on my answering machine and listen to the recorded messages.

“Pastor, it’s Linda DeVries. You know I don’t like to complain, but the music last Sunday was just too loud. I wish you’d tell them to turn down those speakers, God doesn’t need all that noise…”

Her voice continues for several minutes. She has a litany of complaints: the singers are off key, the drums unnecessary, the chorus repeated too many times. Bless Linda DeVries, sweet Lord, with a moment of pure, unquenchable worship…

A beep signals the beginning of the next message, a teenaged girl’s youthful inflections.

“Pastor? It’s Christy, from the worship team? I just found an awesome rocked-out version of ‘Holy, Holy, Holy.’ You should hear the bass part! I know some of the old people have been dying to sing hymns…well, not dying, actually…but this should make everyone happy, right? And also, can we have a light show in the background?”

I close my eyes and try to imagine a heaven in which both Christy and Linda DeVries are singing the same praises to the Lamb.

Small noises outside my door tell me that Rona has arrived in the secretary’s office. I open the door to greet her, and she hands me some papers—printouts of e-mails and pink memo slips. I receive them with a wince and return to my office, but not before briefly meeting her eyes. I think she winked at me.

Dear Lord, she winked at me. And we’re alone in the church today. Well, I can’t deal with that right now. Give me strength…I’ll handle her later…

I rest my head in my hands for a moment, reprising the prayer that brought me to my office. Lord, I need you…

The stack of papers calls out to me.

“Pastor, last Christmas the sanctuary decorations were way too gaudy. I think we should just go with just candles and greenery this year…”

“Pastor, I’m going to decorate for Christmas this week. I’ve bought fifty more strings of colored lights, hope that’s okay…”

“Pastor, I caught two children running in the sanctuary yesterday. Something should be done…”

“Pastor, I don’t think you should read from that version of the Bible any more…”

“Pastor, someone spilled grape juice on the communion cloth…”

“Pastor, the leaves on the east lawn still haven’t been raked…”

“Pastor, a light bulb is out in the ladies’ room…”

“Pastor, the offerings were low this week…”

“Pastor…pastor…pastor…”

Is this what You’ve called me to do, Lord? How can I bring new sheep into Your fold when I’m constantly being asked to make tiny repairs to the fence? There is a knock on my door. And…did Rona wink at me? Somewhat hesitantly, I call out an invitation to enter.

It’s not Rona, but Dennis Crakes, a teen who has been silently occupying a seat on the edges of our youth group meetings, arms crossed, eyes closed, occasionally snorting at the discussion.

Dennis has come to place his shattered life in the arms of the Savior.

Half an hour later, he leaves with a lightened spirit—a new creation.

There is silence in the outer office—Rona has left. I decide to walk home for lunch. My shoes beat out a new prayer: You…are…so…good…left, right, left, right.

Arriving home, I kiss my wife. I feel like a new man, once again sure of my purpose.

She pulls slightly away from my embrace and searches my face. “You had a good morning, didn’t you?”

I kiss her again. “I did, sweetheart. I really did. And by the way—did you wink at me?”
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This article has been read 2181 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Stephen Paynter
12/07/06
Oh yesss! Good portrayal of a pastor's stresses ... but I was completely and pleasantly wrong footed about the wink! Hah, made my day, and left me with a big smile of happiness. Guess I'm just a romantic-softy.
Helen Paynter
12/07/06
You have such a knack for combining truth with humour; pathos with a light touch. As usual, excellent piece. I thought it was very good before I read the last line, but that clinched it.
Lynda Schultz 
12/08/06
Oh so true! Wonderfully done, and that wink fooled me too!
Joanne Sher 
12/08/06
So many EXCELLENT lines in this one - though, as most have (and likely will) mentioned, the last is the VERY best. This story had such a wonderful, conversational tone that felt completely and totally real. And what a PERFECT title! Awesome stuff.
Verna Cole Mitchell 
12/09/06
This was excellently done, showing a pastor's heart for what is really important, despite all the petty things he encounters. I loved the "wink" too.
Amy Michelle Wiley 
12/09/06
The eptitome of "pastor". Well done! Loved it!
Jen Davis
12/09/06
A great story! Written with truth and humor—a wonderful way to share a message in such an entertaining way. I loved the twist—so cute. This was a well crafted and very well written story.
Sandra Petersen
12/11/06
Jan, this is wonderful. And now I understand why our pastor escapes to his office sometimes after the service. I like how you made the 'wink' happen at about the middle and again at the end, and how the pastor's prayer changed from morning to noon. You captured his emotions well. Glad I read this.
Donna Haug
12/11/06
I loved the prayer of four beats ... I automatically read them in that way. I definately feel for North American pastors and what they have to deal with every day. And yes, I LOVED the wink!! LOL Great story!
Cheri Hardaway
12/11/06
This was just a wonderful story! I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Your conversational tone puts the reader right inside the pastor's head, and the wink... just too cute. Well done. Blessings, Cheri
Venice Kichura
12/11/06
You've really captured the heart of a pastor with your relaxed conversational style. Unfortunately, this is true to life with many pastors & their flocks....
Excellent piece!
Kevin Kindrick
12/12/06
What a wonder-full story, with a beautiful ending! If only a pastor's days could always end this way!

Thanks, and God bless,

Kevin
Donna Powers
12/12/06
A very enjoyable story. I LOVED the wink and my favorite image was the idea of heaven with the two very different ladies singing God's praise. Thanks for sharing this.
Betty Castleberry
12/13/06
Jan, this is one of my favorites. I think it gives good insight as to what a pastor really deals with on a day-to-day basis. Love the last line. ;0)
Catrina Bradley
12/13/06
Beautiful. I don't know why I didn't comment the first time I read this, but I truly enjoyed it. Loved the footstep prayers echoing his moods, and the "twist" at the end was delightful! Well done!!!
Sara Harricharan
12/13/06
Great title, I loved how you tied it in at the end. This was somewhat amusing to read, I loved the dialouge and his prayers inbetween. A great and enjoyable read, I wish I could have known more about him as he was a very vivid character.
Thanks for commenting on An Amber-eyed Adventure!
Shanti Singh
12/14/06
This was wonderful, and very well written. Like everyone else, the wink caught me by surprise. How fun!
Rae Marie Bujan-D'Andrade
01/10/07
Your combination of humour, irony and the element of suprise was refreshing. I like your style. By the way, my both parents are Pastors and you have splendidly captured their daily life. Keep writing and I'll keep reading.