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|
 What’s
your ministry?
On paper it has been described as “wise, biblically-based,
gracefully-truthful, Gospel centered guidance, and crisis mentoring
to all those under trials that would seek it through individual
and group sessions.” By God’s grace I pray that it is
indeed those things, but it is also a concentrated slice of what
it is to be a part of Christ’s body. I simply do, on a more
intense and/or crisis level, what we are all called to do: speak
the truth in love into all corners of life, and to love one another
(believer and non-believer alike) in ways that are reflections of
God’s heart for people, for His church, for all of His creation.
The Mentoring/Counseling Ministry is, I hope, a place where people
are safe to be real about their sufferings, their confusion, their
sorrows, and be met with the Jesus who is Lord over all those things
and our faithful companion within them.
What inspired you to take it on?
I have always been captivated by stories of life and how people
think, feel, and live. But there was not one thing or one moment
that proved to me that I should pursue a career as a counselor.
It is still a responsibility that is bigger than I am. And after
I have (God willing) 40 years’ experience under my belt, it
will still be bigger than I, and my greatest qualification”
will still be that God is gracious and faithful to equip ragamuffin
people, in desperate need of His grace, to point others to that
same Savior, and to that same grace. I am still flabbergasted at
the privilege of being allowed to watch Him work from the vantage
point of this position. If God were not the God he says He is, I
would still be working as a gardener.
What’s the best advice you’ve
ever been given?
No matter what life looks like or how you feel inside, never ever
stop praying. Weep your prayers, shout your prayers, whisper them
if you have to--- but don’t stop--even if God is the last
one you want to talk to right now.
Cartoon character you most identify with?
Well, it’s not really a cartoon character but Snuffy the Snuffleupagus
from Sesame Street. He is described as having a “slow nature”
and one of his favorite foods is cabbage—two things I can
relate to. He is mellow and content to live simply in the Snuffleupagus
Family Cave. I’m like that—slow as a snail, content
in my little niche, and much more awkward than graceful. I love
that big, goofy elephant.
What are you reading?
“Picasso: A Biography,” by Patrick O’Brien; “Thoughts
in Solitude,” by Thomas Merton.
What do you do to de-stress?
I love to read, listen to music, sit on my front porch in the evenings
or get lost in the woods for awhile. I love the quiet. Being outside—away
from as much noise and civilized life as possible—is an incredible
refreshment. I love trees and the sound of a river. I love the feeling
and smell of the air in the morning and late at night. I have a
few little art projects that do a number on my stress level, and
once I have the space, I will grow a vegetable garden. Oh--and I
love dogs. One of my favorites is a black lab named Hazel. Once
she wags that body and plops herself on me, my stress is gone.
May 15, 2005 |
