Hebrews 13:17 encourages Christians to make their pastors work a joy and not a burden.A practical way to encourage your pastor is to actively love his children. One of the great blessings I have enjoyed in the ministry is to shepherd people who love my family.
My children haven’t always made it easy for our church to be patient. I remember once at a solemn moment in a funeral when all of a sudden I heard my four year old son yell, “Yes.” As soon as I had a chance, I asked my daughter, “Why on earth did your brother yell?”
She responded, “Dad he just forgot where he was at. He had never won at Tic Tac Toe before, so when he did win he got so excited that he yelled.” Mom didn’t realize what was happening until it was too late.
On another occasion an elderly woman in our church who had recently lost her husband said to the same son, “Thank you for praying for me.”
My son responded, “Oh no, I didn’t pray for you, my brother did, but I didn’t.”
He didn’t mean anything personal by it. He just didn’t want to take credit for a prayer he hadn’t given. She smiled sweetly and patted him on the head.
Where I’ve pastored, people have loved my family. And, that’s a great encouragement. It has made my call more joyful and less of a burden.
Your kids sound just like you! Maybe it’s a Brauns thing and not so much a maturity issue?
Heredity is a scary thing.
We’ve had many debates at the dinner table.