Finding your ministry
I was raised as a Methodist but strayed from the church for many years before returning in middle age and becoming an Episcopalian. I don't remember hearing many messages when I was a kid about finding your ministry; I won't speculate on why. In west Tennessee, Christians of every denomination (and age) talk about it a lot, and honestly, some of it is really intrusive. I'm not especially interested in bringing the heathens to Jesus, but if I can open a path to him for a lost person, that's cool. I'm mostly interested in finding ways to serve others. You don't have to be Christian to understand the value of this. It benefits others, you, your community, the world, and your church if you have one.
In a sense, I have found my ministry in the work I do here on OH by answering questions and giving advice, reassurance, pep talks, and maybe some humor to other members. But I still felt that I should be doing something local, in my everyday community. I am a member of the committee that runs my church, so that's part of my ministry. My church collects non-perishable food to give to a local charity, Helping Hands, and I particpate in that even though it may take me 6 weeks to collect a bag of food now that I'm unemployed. But I'm always asking myself, "What else?" Because if you don't keep challenging yourself, how will you ever reach your full potential in anything?
At the same time, I'm married to a man who says he's an Atheist. We were married by his mother's minister because it made her happy (I thought the guy was a twit), and that was the end of our Christian life. Mr. P. is a deeply good, moral, ethical, caring man who would give you the shirt off your back (as long as he trusted you) and his kindness to animals is legendary. He doesn't object to my church attendance and asks me every Saturday night, "Do you want me to get you up for church tomorrow?" (because I like to go to the 8 am service and he's worried I'll oversleep).
So imagine my surprise and delight to discover today that Mr. P. has finally found his ministry. It doesn't matter if he knows it, as long as he does it. He loves gardening and grows 100 times more fruits, berries, and veggies than the 2 of us could ever use. He takes some to work to give away but resents that some of his coworkers just take everything greedily, criticize the bounty ("you didn't wash the tomatoes first?"), and never give anything back (not just to Mr. P., but to anyone).
The other day when I wondered about how to handle our bountiful harvest, Linda suggested that we give it to charity, so I stopped by the Helping Hands Center to ask if they could accept donations of perishable foods like fruits and vegetables. I had assumed that they couldn't because of health department regulations or storage considerations, but why not ask? They assured me that they'd be thrilled to have that kind of thing to include in the food baskets they give to needy families. I told Mr. P. about it that night and his reaction was neutral. Recently, he had declared that he was going to make our garden smaller because he was damned if he was going to put all that money and work into it just to throw the harvest away. I wondered if maybe he had a problem giving food to people who aren't "pulling their weight" and thought, "I'll mention it again in a few days and see if he's warmed up to it then," and forgot about it.
When I got home from the doctor today, the kitchen counters were covered up with tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, peppers, peaches, and plums. My face must have registered dismay ("what am I going to do with all this?"), because Mr. P. quickly said, "I'm giving some of that to (a co-worker) and the rest can go to Helping Hands. I'll pick more on Sunday for us and Helping Hands. And I've decided that next year, I'm going to grow even more, to give to Helping Hands. We have the space and it isn't that much more work."
I said, "That's wonderful!" And inside I was rejoicing, because I think Mr. P. has finally found his ministry. And I can help by carting the gifts to Helping Hands.
And I want to especially thank Linda for pointing us in this direction...
Jean
In a sense, I have found my ministry in the work I do here on OH by answering questions and giving advice, reassurance, pep talks, and maybe some humor to other members. But I still felt that I should be doing something local, in my everyday community. I am a member of the committee that runs my church, so that's part of my ministry. My church collects non-perishable food to give to a local charity, Helping Hands, and I particpate in that even though it may take me 6 weeks to collect a bag of food now that I'm unemployed. But I'm always asking myself, "What else?" Because if you don't keep challenging yourself, how will you ever reach your full potential in anything?
At the same time, I'm married to a man who says he's an Atheist. We were married by his mother's minister because it made her happy (I thought the guy was a twit), and that was the end of our Christian life. Mr. P. is a deeply good, moral, ethical, caring man who would give you the shirt off your back (as long as he trusted you) and his kindness to animals is legendary. He doesn't object to my church attendance and asks me every Saturday night, "Do you want me to get you up for church tomorrow?" (because I like to go to the 8 am service and he's worried I'll oversleep).
So imagine my surprise and delight to discover today that Mr. P. has finally found his ministry. It doesn't matter if he knows it, as long as he does it. He loves gardening and grows 100 times more fruits, berries, and veggies than the 2 of us could ever use. He takes some to work to give away but resents that some of his coworkers just take everything greedily, criticize the bounty ("you didn't wash the tomatoes first?"), and never give anything back (not just to Mr. P., but to anyone).
The other day when I wondered about how to handle our bountiful harvest, Linda suggested that we give it to charity, so I stopped by the Helping Hands Center to ask if they could accept donations of perishable foods like fruits and vegetables. I had assumed that they couldn't because of health department regulations or storage considerations, but why not ask? They assured me that they'd be thrilled to have that kind of thing to include in the food baskets they give to needy families. I told Mr. P. about it that night and his reaction was neutral. Recently, he had declared that he was going to make our garden smaller because he was damned if he was going to put all that money and work into it just to throw the harvest away. I wondered if maybe he had a problem giving food to people who aren't "pulling their weight" and thought, "I'll mention it again in a few days and see if he's warmed up to it then," and forgot about it.
When I got home from the doctor today, the kitchen counters were covered up with tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, peppers, peaches, and plums. My face must have registered dismay ("what am I going to do with all this?"), because Mr. P. quickly said, "I'm giving some of that to (a co-worker) and the rest can go to Helping Hands. I'll pick more on Sunday for us and Helping Hands. And I've decided that next year, I'm going to grow even more, to give to Helping Hands. We have the space and it isn't that much more work."
I said, "That's wonderful!" And inside I was rejoicing, because I think Mr. P. has finally found his ministry. And I can help by carting the gifts to Helping Hands.
And I want to especially thank Linda for pointing us in this direction...
Jean
Jean McMillan c.2009-2013 - Always a bandster at heart
author of Bandwagon (TM), Strategies for Success with the Adjustable Gastric Band & Bandwagon Cookery. Bandwagon for Kindle now available on Amazon. Read my blog at: jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com
Margo,
It gave me goosegumps, too!
I've been married to this guy for 22 years, and I already thought he's wonderful...but wow!
Jean
It gave me goosegumps, too!
I've been married to this guy for 22 years, and I already thought he's wonderful...but wow!
Jean
Jean McMillan c.2009-2013 - Always a bandster at heart
author of Bandwagon (TM), Strategies for Success with the Adjustable Gastric Band & Bandwagon Cookery. Bandwagon for Kindle now available on Amazon. Read my blog at: jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com
JeanB
I am so glad to hear that he is giving the veggies and fruits away instead of throwing it away. I am sure the folks that go to Helping Hands would love to get the bounty of your garden and his labor! I know I would! I also understand Mr. P's feelings toward those people at his work! It is too bad people can't be more grateful for what is given to them. That is why I don't do Christmas as the "heathens" know it because of them and ungrateful people including children. They have lost the reason for the season. But that is another posting! LOL! I hope that what you and he do to help people come back to you in ways that would make you happy and surprised. You are good people! Michelle
Dearest Jean,your story warms my heart. I also have such a picture of what Mr.P looks like,from the inside out.
What a worthy ministry to have,feeding the poor,I should say also,the newly poor.
You probably know I am not a traditional Christan,but I believe very strongly I am here to help others.
I crochet afhgans, to help people stay warm. There is no way to describe how I feel when I think of a less fortunate person wrapped in one of my blankets,I always wash them and soften them with a lavender rinse...smile.
I also sponsor a few people who call in their food to me and share their lives with me. The fact that someone trusts me with their secrets,makes me feel so honored.
I thank you and Mr.P. for helping through the wonderful fresh fruit and vegetables. I bet some families will be thrilled to eat something that does not come from a can! You are going to make so many people happy.
May God as I understand Him keep blessing you and your wonderful husband......and your doggies,because I truly believe all dogs go to heaven.
What a worthy ministry to have,feeding the poor,I should say also,the newly poor.
You probably know I am not a traditional Christan,but I believe very strongly I am here to help others.
I crochet afhgans, to help people stay warm. There is no way to describe how I feel when I think of a less fortunate person wrapped in one of my blankets,I always wash them and soften them with a lavender rinse...smile.
I also sponsor a few people who call in their food to me and share their lives with me. The fact that someone trusts me with their secrets,makes me feel so honored.
I thank you and Mr.P. for helping through the wonderful fresh fruit and vegetables. I bet some families will be thrilled to eat something that does not come from a can! You are going to make so many people happy.
May God as I understand Him keep blessing you and your wonderful husband......and your doggies,because I truly believe all dogs go to heaven.
WHAT WE FEAR,WE CREATE.
Linda,
When I was a little girl, my Sunday School teacher told me that animals don't go to heaven - only humans go to heaven. This disturbed me so much that I went home and told my mom that I was going to hell because I didn't want to go to a heaven with no animals in it. She assured me that good animals do go to heaven. I like to think of my departed doggies and kitties keeping my fathr and grandmother company in heaven while they wait for me to arrive.
Jean
When I was a little girl, my Sunday School teacher told me that animals don't go to heaven - only humans go to heaven. This disturbed me so much that I went home and told my mom that I was going to hell because I didn't want to go to a heaven with no animals in it. She assured me that good animals do go to heaven. I like to think of my departed doggies and kitties keeping my fathr and grandmother company in heaven while they wait for me to arrive.
Jean
Jean McMillan c.2009-2013 - Always a bandster at heart
author of Bandwagon (TM), Strategies for Success with the Adjustable Gastric Band & Bandwagon Cookery. Bandwagon for Kindle now available on Amazon. Read my blog at: jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com
(deactivated member)
on 7/18/09 12:53 am - West Central FL☼RIDA , FL
on 7/18/09 12:53 am - West Central FL☼RIDA , FL
Sounds very fulfilling for both of you. Kudos and thanks for sharing an uplifting, inspiring story.
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