a moving truck, a student...

...and friends left wondering. There are times in ministry that can take you by surprise - students moving would be one of those times. I can get used to students growing up and going off to college, but it's a little more difficult when students come to you with tears in their eyes and tell you their dad got a new job and apparently all the family members have to move too. That's a hard thing to handle. When students grow up in your ministry, sending them to college is a good thing. Sure there are some things you still wish you could've taught them, but you've done your best. When students move, it's like marking a progress report as incomplete. Believe it or not, there's a lot of thoughts that go through a pastor's head.

I feel as if I have been left wondering. Wondering if I did enough to get them ready for life. Did they learn enough because who knows what the next guy's going to teach them. Do they understand ministry and missions enough that they can apply it to their lives where they are now, even though they are not under my tutelage.

Then I'm reminded that no matter how much I would love for them to stay, God's plan is way cooler than anything I could ever think up...and believe you me I can think up some pretty cool stuff! Even though Forrest's departure was unexpected, I know she will do an excellent job of living for Christ in her new school, church, and community.

Forrest - I simply want you to leave your mark...not like Stump, but like Christ!

JM

(For more about Forrest, go and read her blog...it's on the right...the forrest)