I have been in pastoral ministry/roles for over 20 years, and while I did not have a traditional pastoral assignment in an organized church setting, I continued in the role and calling of a shepherd during the past 4 years. The size of our flock was just 2....dad and me! We did life together. We ate together. We shopped together. We went to the doctor together. We worshiped together. We prayed together. We read the Bible together. We practiced many of the "one another"s of the New Testament. You know them....love one another, pray for one another, teach one another, rejoice with one another, weep with one another, encourage one another, and so forth.
While I cared for dad's physical well-being, I also stood watch over his spiritual well-being too as a shepherd. And we experienced the Lord together in so many ways and learned much about Him. And in our flock of two, I assure you that this was never a one-way service. I received alot from Dad too. He loved me, showed it often, and never withheld it from me. He trusted me. He confided in me, when he was able, with words, gestures, facial expressions, and of course, those beautiful blue eyes. He never stopped teaching me. He enjoyed being with me. He was always capable of emotions, joy and sadness. He encouraged me more times than I can ever count.
I loved our "church" and admit that I miss it very much.
January 29, 2018
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