It’s Time To Listen

I was thinking about my dad today, wondering if he was ever sorry about the choice he made when he was a young man. Jesus tells us to take up the cross and follow him. I believe that is true but it takes us into some rough places sometimes. He never promised our lives would be easy though He did promise that He would never leave us or forsake us, and that should be enough for each of us, shouldn’t it?

The time was in 1925. the year before I was born. Dad had just graduated from the seminary in St Paul, Minnesota and had a certificate saying he was a real Reverend! He was also given two sheets of paper which told him he could be a pastor in one of them. One was a big church in Tacoma, Washington and the other 3 small mission churches in Northern Minnesota. He was sure the big church in Tacoma was the one he should take So, he and his pregnant wife made plans and began packing.

They were happily driving their old Model T until they got somewhere in the middle of North Dakota when their car broke down. A mechanic Told them it would be better to buy a different one, which they did. But Dad wasn’t so sure he had made the right choice.

“I think I made the wrong choice. I was listening to myself, thinking I could have a big church. I know now I wasn’t listening to Jesus who wanted me to go to that small mission parish,” he said to his wife. They turned around and went to Holt, Minnesota.

It wasn’t easy. He had three small churches and two “Preaching Places” to which he had to walk, either in mud or snow, depending on the weather. The roads were bad, most were just plain mud but a few of them were gravel. Still, he had a wonderful time there. He directed several choirs, had many friends and his churches grew. Many cried when he told them Jesus was sending him somewhere else.

It is important to list to God when we are facing anything. In fact, we should ask him each morning to lead us each day. He is always there and will never leave us nor forsake us. I need to follow this as much as you do. It could save us a lot of trouble!