Pastor Mike’s Christmas Garage! – December 23/2021
December 23, 2021
*Pastor Mike’s Christmas Garage!-Dec 23/2021*
I just thought I would write you a short note wishing each and every one of
you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and joyous New Year! It has been a
honour and privilege serving as your associate pastor over the last year.
You’re a good church and we feel very blessed and supported!
As most of you know already, I’ll be celebrating the new year in the Pasqua
hospital as I’m going in for hip replacement surgery on Dec 30th! I hate
how old saying that makes me sound! Truth be told I would really appreciate
your prayers for me at this time as I’ve been really struggling with a lot
of discouragement, fear and anxiety over the last few weeks and have been
having trouble sleeping at night. I know good pastors are supposed to be
above that sort of thing, basically hovering above the ground as they quote
scripture, bless people, and have an angelic peaceful glow about them at
all times! It seems I just can’t seem to shut my brain off at night no
matter how many passages I speak and claim! I worry about a number of
things, the surgery obviously, how much I have to still get done before
then. I worry I’m not the man I should be, the father, son, husband,
friend, and pastor I should be as well! I worry about some of the things
I’m doing, and some of the things I never seem to get done!
To be honest as I sat down to write this, I wasn’t intending to share any
of that. I was just going to do a warm fluffy Christmas greeting but that
definitely wasn’t where my heart and mind was at. I felt strongly impressed
to share where I was at. I don’t believe it was so you feel sorry for me. I
have to wonder if maybe somebody out there is feeling those things as well
and hearing a seemingly smooth, polished pastor that hovers angelically
above the ground share those things might encourage and give you permission
to reach out for prayer and support as well? If that’s you today know that
you are not alone or any worse of a person than I am at least! The Victory
church in Moose Jaw has a statement written on its exterior wall facing the
street in large bold capital letter stating NO PERFECT PEOPLE! I don’t
think it’s a good idea to be proud or flaunt the things we struggle with
but it’s also not a great idea to try and hide or pretend we don’t have
them any either! Neither one of those paths lead to victory or healing!
I obviously won’t be in the office for a week or two or out visiting. We
won’t be around town till the 10th or 11th of January as our house, with
the wonderful old house staircases is not very recovery conducive, so we
will be staying at Bre’s parents in Moose Jaw for a bit after the surgery.
After that please feel free to drop by for a visit, I’ll always be home! Or
should you want to chat give me a call, I’d love to have a visit! I will
leave you with a few verses from 2 Cor that came to mind this morning.
“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he
said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I
am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work
through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the
insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-10
Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
Pastor Mike