The Pastor Ponders… Being Overwhelmed

I had saved my vacation time for the closing weeks of my previous appointment, knowing that the calendar during this time was completely packed. Two whirlwind weeks of fun and joy and stress and strain and laughter and tears and more laughter …

In the past week, (on either end of Annual Conference Session!) Karen and I have
celebrated our firstborn, Kelli’s graduation from High School and we participated in her
college orientation. What an amazing and humbling thing it is to see the clear and
inescapable defining points of your child’s life. Surely it was only yesterday that all the other “firsts” happened – steps, words, swimming, bicycle riding – and now, her first steps into establishing independence. So now it’s clear that I’m a “Western Dad,” which means we have an adult student. No longer is our child a child. This tends to warp a father’s mind.

Oh, I’ve seen it coming; it is no surprise at all. I’ve even celebrated that we’ve done an excellent job, all things considered. Yes, I’m proud and yes, I know she’ll keep growing into an even more amazing young woman. But this past week sure did come and go mighty fast.

In the morning, the moving truck comes to pick up our furniture and take it off to the mover’s warehouse for a few days. We’ll have the rest of the day to tidy up the place and get ready for our youngest daughter, Sarah’s piano recital, then on to Lake Gaston for a
combination Graduation Party / Father’s Day weekend. Tuesday, we’ll come back through Raleigh for the handoff of keys and be on our way to the Fitts St. parsonage. Tuesday
afternoon, it begins! I’m so excited! Day 1, Pastor, Jonesboro UMC. My mind is warped yet again.

A whole new set of firsts awaits: first conversations with hundreds of people, first steps into “doing church” together, first shared joys, first shared pains, first holidays, first mission trips … the sheer possibilities are staggering. Overwhelming, really. But not overwhelming in a debilitating kind of way; overwhelming in an energizing and empowering kind of way. This I do know for certain: God doesn’t call the equipped; God equips the called! Even after 20 years of pastoral ministry, there are brand new challenges and opportunities awaiting me. And with 150 years of ministry at Jonesboro, brand new challenges and opportunities await us all in our pursuit to know Christ and to make Christ known.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” As we proclaim this together,
I anticipate that God’s future for all of us will be overwhelming indeed!

Grace & peace to you all,

Pastor Hunter