SIML-Such is Ministry Life

 

I just laughed out loud.  I just received a text from a sister in ministry and dear girlfriend whose husband is in his first pastorate after leaving youth ministry.  They had planned a vacation but a deacon in their church passed away this weekend.  As you can imagine and have probably done, they had to change all their vacation plans.  Her comment to me through the text was “SIML-Such is Ministry Life.”

 

I cannot tell you how many times Ricky and I have planned a vacation only to have to cancel our plans.  When our children were at home, we once drove several hours to a destination, unloaded the suitcases, and then received “The Phone Call.”  You know the one I am talking about.  It is the phone call where a person in your congregation has passed away and the family needs you immediately.  Now, how do you handle that situation?  For us it meant scrambling around to find a cheap flight for my husband.  He flew back, ministered to the family, and returned to finish out the vacation. 

 

Of course, there are always the Birthday/Thanksgiving/Christmas situations.  So many times in our ministry we have missed out celebrating with family due to church obligations.  Over the years we have learned to set our own traditions.  Also, our families have learned that we are on called 24/7 and plans sometimes must be adjusted.  For example, we celebrate Christmas a few days later because of Christmas Eve services.  Ah yes, SIML.

 

However, ministry life is the greatest blessing.  For the Lee family, we have seen people saved and added to the Kingdom of God.  We have moved to new locations, gained lifelong friends, and experienced new cultures.  We have been showered with fresh garden veggies in the summer and seen our freezer stocked with meat for the winter.  Our children not only had their maternal and paternal grandparents but they became the adopted grandchildren by many senior adults in the churches.   Yes, vacations and holidays were cancelled or rescheduled but the blessings always remained.

 

Ah yes, SIML-Such is Ministry Life!

 

Ok girlfriends, it is now your time to share your "SIML."