gratitude
Every Thanksgiving, I try my best to utilize this time to count my blessings...because it is so obvious, I am a blessed (maybe spoiled) 21-year old who is living her dream. I am breathing, living without pain and living with my healthy family. I am studying in my dream program and en route to becoming the educator that I have always wanted to be. I am able to spend money on the occasion food court meal and afford a slice of Whole Foods cake. I do not need to worry about my finances because my parents have helped me with university costs and given me a roof over my head. There is an endless list of thanksgiving items, but today, I would like to highlight something that I've often overlooked.
I am thankful for my fellow soldiers, who fight the battle with me in the forefront of ministry everyday. The brother and sisters-in-Christ who attend countless meeting and have impromptu discussions about how to make our ministries more effective and fruitful. Often times, we are all working so hard, we never get a chance to appreciate each other's presence, but you guys make the journey of working in the church exciting and worthwhile. I cherish the moments where we laugh together, cry together, be frustrated together and vision together. Thanks for showing me what it means to live in the body, where we are many parts...but all striving towards a common goal.
Today, it was a difficult day because one of my closest church friends lost her father. It was also sad because my dad lost one of his fellow soldiers. As I am writing this post, tears are welling up and my heart weighs heavy. When my dad shared his thoughts about that uncle's passing, he shared, "We started being in the Board of Elders together. We have children that are around the same age, but his children were a bit older. He lived the ideal life that I would want to live. Downsizing...Slowing down his work...Pursuing a simpler life...Being more involved in ministry...Starting to train up new Christian leaders. We were ready to step into this new stage of life together, one that is focused on dedicating himself to the church. He is so knowledgeable and has traveled the world. He has so much experience and so much to share, but why did he have to go?" For the first time, he had shared his complete, honest struggle he had with the Lord. This raw conversation with my father reminded me that it is a privilege to serve with all my co-counsellors/pastors/leaders/shadows/committee members. I must express gratitude that God has given us the opportunity to minister and work together. I must cherish the months and years of service because that in itself is a blessing from God.
A heart full of gratitude,
~cho
I am thankful for my fellow soldiers, who fight the battle with me in the forefront of ministry everyday. The brother and sisters-in-Christ who attend countless meeting and have impromptu discussions about how to make our ministries more effective and fruitful. Often times, we are all working so hard, we never get a chance to appreciate each other's presence, but you guys make the journey of working in the church exciting and worthwhile. I cherish the moments where we laugh together, cry together, be frustrated together and vision together. Thanks for showing me what it means to live in the body, where we are many parts...but all striving towards a common goal.
Today, it was a difficult day because one of my closest church friends lost her father. It was also sad because my dad lost one of his fellow soldiers. As I am writing this post, tears are welling up and my heart weighs heavy. When my dad shared his thoughts about that uncle's passing, he shared, "We started being in the Board of Elders together. We have children that are around the same age, but his children were a bit older. He lived the ideal life that I would want to live. Downsizing...Slowing down his work...Pursuing a simpler life...Being more involved in ministry...Starting to train up new Christian leaders. We were ready to step into this new stage of life together, one that is focused on dedicating himself to the church. He is so knowledgeable and has traveled the world. He has so much experience and so much to share, but why did he have to go?" For the first time, he had shared his complete, honest struggle he had with the Lord. This raw conversation with my father reminded me that it is a privilege to serve with all my co-counsellors/pastors/leaders/shadows/committee members. I must express gratitude that God has given us the opportunity to minister and work together. I must cherish the months and years of service because that in itself is a blessing from God.
A heart full of gratitude,
~cho
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