I retired from pastoring at the end of April (this year) when I turned 65. Although, as a protestant minister, I did NOT receive confessions in the same manner as a Catholic priest, I experienced some “interesting” things during my 30plus years in the pastorate. But nothing quite like this:
A local priest was being honored at his retirement dinner after 25 years in the parish.
A leading local politician and member of the congregation was chosen to make the presentation and to give a little speech at the dinner.
However, he was delayed debating the “bail-out packages,” so the priest decided to say his own few words while they waited:
“I got my first impression of the parish from the first confession I heard here. I thought I had been assigned to a terrible place. The very first person who entered my confessional told me he had stolen a television set and, when questioned by the police, was able to lie his way out of it. He had also stolen money from his parents, embezzled from his employer, had an affair with his best friend’s wife, and taken illicit drugs. I was appalled.
“But as the days went on, I learned that my people were not all like that and I had, indeed, come to a fine parish full of good and loving people.”
Just as the priest finished his talk, the politician arrived full of apologies for being late. He immediately began to make the presentation and said: “I’ll never forget the first day our parish priest arrived. In fact, I had the honor of being the first person to go to him for confession.”
The Wooden Bowl (Shared by Jan Ross – Based on a story by Tolstoy)
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.
The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
“We must do something about Grandfather,” said the son. “I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor!” So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.
When the family glanced in Grandfather’s direction, sometimes they saw a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence. . .
Then one evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?”
Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. No word was spoken but tears streamed down their cheeks and both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. What messages have you sent yours today?
I apologize for my absence on this site. I have been a bit overwhelmed with the remodeling tasks that I have taken up. I do hope that you will bear with me for a short while longer. I plan to get back online here and make this site even better than it was prior to my retirement.
Just keep checking back to see what is going on – or better still, subscribe (BIG orange button in the left column) to the rss feed. That way, you will receive a notice any time an article is published here.
Today is Sunday. We are hearing from quite a few pastors and churches about their prayers offered today for Kathy. We prayed with one church today through our cell phone. In another case, we were notified of one church’s efforts and were able to log on to their online services to witness these wonderful people praying for Kathy and for our family. It is so humbling to know that you are “out there” pulling, believing and praying with us. We fully anticipate a miracle from God for Kathy’s healing. It has not been possible to talk with everyone who has called or emailed or even sent a text and we wanted to! So, with the help of “Brother D” a talented young videographer here in Northern Ohio, we prepared this video update…
We leave today for Chicago where we meet with doctors and the medical team which has been assigned to Kathy’s case at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Should we decide to adopt their recommended treatment plan, Kathy’s first treatments will begin immediately. Other options for her treatment remain a possibility if this one does not work. She is daily getting stronger from the surgery and we are gearing up for this battle.
Thank you so much for your daily and continued prayers and support. Every time you reach to us, we feel the strength and encouragement you are sending. God is good and His faithfulness is our life story! In Him and through Him…all is well!
Well, yesterday I celebrated my 65th birthday! Although my two oldest “children” (44 & 43 yrs) were not able to visit, my youngest (Katrina) was and so she, Viv and I spent a great day together. Terry (my oldest) and Tammy both called a talked a long time on the phone and that was nice. We spent some time sitting the the front yard talking and listening to the nature sounds: wind in the trees, birds singing and water trickling down the fountain. Later, we had a delicious meal out on the patio and enjoyed some of the most lovely weather you could find anywhere on earth! Except for a couple of minor interruptions of rain, weather in South Louisiana here has been FANTASTIC for the past 6 or 8 weeks! It has made my construction project more of a pleasure.
Did I mention that I have been remodeling my home? Well, Viv and I tore out the carpet in the downstairs area and installed porcelain tile in the living and dining area. Katrina then came over and she and I installed the tile in the master bedroom.
Then we decided to rebuild the stairwell. That was about six weeks ago. We STILL do not have stairs! <grin> But Katrina has hung in there and, although we have built and tore out three sets of “stair stringers”, we finally have a set that will work properly (I hope). I am trying to build a solid oak stairway and it is a lot more difficult that I ever imagined.
But the entire project has been a great experience. It has been very therapeutic for me. This year is a major milestone in my life. In February, Viv and I began receiving our Social Security checks; Last week was the first time I used my Medicare card; My birthday was yesterday; Today is the celebration of my retirement as pastor of the Agape’ Fellowship Church; and tomorrow is my last Sunday there as pastor – plus it is “Pastor Appreciation Day” at the church. A lot of CHANGES to absorb. But having this work to occupy my mind AND having Katrina to work with me has been a very enjoyable thing. Although I am a bit anxious for the time when I can again get to my upstairs office, I almost want the work to continue.
I don’t believe that I have gotten old yet. I think I may LIKE this retirement thing!!
The good news today is FOOD. Because her digestive tract is now functioning again, we get to eat a liquid diet but even the broth is delicious. I’ve promised her a big chocolate cake when we get home, so imagine that? Her birthday was Sunday and it was a crappy birthday waiting on surgery with [...]
Jeremy posted this latest update on his website…
Update 6: (Monday 4:30 pm)
On Monday, April 20, 2009 Kathy Isaacs had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in her colon. Upon completion of the surgery we were notified that the tumor was removed, but an aggressive chemo therapy treatment within the next few weeks will be [...]
It is Sunday night and our family is gathered in Akron, Ohio where Kathy will have surgery in the morning to remove a tumor which was discovered in the xrays done to prepare for the removal of her gall bladder. How thankful we are that God was looking out for us to allow a technican [...]
I just received this email from our State Administrative Bishop concerning Kathy:
I need you and your prayer warriors to join with me for a special need in the Bill and Kathy Issacs family. Pray for Kathy’s healing and for peace, wisdom and strength for the entire family.
The Wooden Bowl (Shared by Jan Ross – Based on a story by Tolstoy)
But the entire project has been a great experience. It has been very therapeutic for me. This year is a major milestone in my life. In February, Viv and I began receiving our Social Security checks; Last week was the first time I used my Medicare card; My birthday was yesterday; Today is the celebration of my retirement as pastor of the Agape’ Fellowship Church; and tomorrow is my last Sunday there as pastor – plus it is “Pastor Appreciation Day” at the church. A lot of CHANGES to absorb. But having this work to occupy my mind AND having Katrina to work with me has been a very enjoyable thing. Although I am a bit anxious for the time when I can again get to my upstairs office, I almost want the work to continue.
What YOU said…