Well, if you follow our blog, you would've read just a few blogs before this one, that we just recently became members of our church. Today at church, we got some pretty sad news. Pastor Elijah announced that he has been called to another church. He didn't share all the details and said that there would be more details to come, but I think Gregg and I both know he's not staying in Utah. I was devastated... shockingly so! I started tearing up the minute he announced it and the shock was written on Gregg's face. I guess some people had gotten a heads up during the week, but this blew Gregg and I away. I tried to regain my composure long enough to shake his hand as we left the sanctuary, but as soon as he reached out for my hand, he said, "Are you going to kick me?" It was in the few seconds before that where he didn't say anything that I felt all the tears coming and couldn't hold them back. I think we all knew how important he was to our decision to join the church. He just said, "We'll talk soon". Gregg and I fell in love with the church when it was he that welcomed us on that first day and when we heard his sermon. My Mom mentioned that sometimes it's hard when you fall in love with a Pastor and they leave, because it can tear a church apart. I hope that this isn't the fate for this church and I don't think it will be. Many people in the congregation have wonderful connections already established. We just hadn't had a chance to do that yet. We had made our incredible connection with the Pastor.
It's just awful timing. Gregg and I had talked and prayed long and hard about this decision, one that was made just a few weeks ago. Had we known this to be his fate, we may not have made the decision we did, I don't know. I do know that if he hadn't been the Pastor of this church, we would have looked at other churches, not to say we would not have come back to this one. It's just hard. Gregg and I know that while we resided in Utah, this man made this church a home for us. We were looking forward to more time with him, his family and getting to know the congregation. Gregg and I knew that we would want this man to baptize our baby. Now, 4 months along in our pregnancy (16 weeks tomorrow!), we don't know what future this church holds and whether or not it will be right for us and our new family. I guess we'll just have to see how things unfold in the upcoming months and make a decision at that time.
We were both shocked and hurt. We know that we can not be mad at him for making this decision and following a call that he has been given, but it doesn't make it any easier on us right now. We will hope and pray that good things come to him and his family on their new journey as well as to the church.
Today, Tomorrow, Forever
1 comment:
Sweet Jenica, just know that the Lord led you to this church for a reason...and though you love your Pastor so much, he is not the whole church. Don't be sad, be happy that he has found another calling in life. He was put in your life to make it better, even if it was just for a little while. The Lord loves you and wants you to be happy (I know, this is a lesson I have to remind myself all the time, and though sometimes I find it hard to believe, it's true). Who knows? Maybe the next Pastor will have an even greater impact on your life??? In the meantime, just trust in Him...He may lead you elsewhere, and that may be hard. He may tell you to stay put. Just remember that we cannot ever see THE BIG PICTURE!! Love you lots and hope you and Gregg have a simply awesome holiday! This time next year, your little blessing will be with you!
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