Caring for others.

BY JANE SMITH

In Hannah Hurnard’s preface to Hind’s Feet On High Places, she writes about Song of Solomon 2:8 inspiring her allegory. Watching gazelles bounding up the mountainside of Mount Gerizim, she was amazed at their grace and agility and reflected that “there are no obstacles which our Saviour’s love cannot overcome, and that to him, mountains of difficulty are as easy as an asphalt road!”

I Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.” It sounds so simple. On a good day, it’s easy. On days when difficulties are plentiful, not so much. How do we care for each other in our daily lives?

Parents with young children could make a long list in short order. Pastors who visit those who are hospitalized can see many opportunities for caring. And sometimes we may need someone to care for us. Last summer, I had an emergency appendectomy and was grateful for my caring husband, who took on many little tasks while I recovered—unasked and willingly. An unexpected visit from neighbors while I waited my turn for surgery in the hospital helped the time pass more quickly.

When life seems to hand you lemons, how do you make lemonade?

Sometimes you need a recipe—and calling a good cook is the best way to start. (Lemon meringue pie is good, too.) If or when your role as a leader gets more complicated than you know how to handle, calling someone with a listening ear and some experience with leading through turbulence makes a whole lot of sense. If or when conflict erupts in your church family, understanding how to proceed in a helpful manner can be overwhelming and difficult—unless you are willing to seek assistance. If you need a listening ear to help you cope, the AFLC’s Pastor and Congregational Care Team (PACCT) is only a phone call, text, or email away. We are here to connect with you.

PACCT’s desire is to come alongside pastors, pastors’ wives, and congregations to provide encouragement, a listening ear, a caring heart, and a supporting hand as we serve Christ together. Ministry can be difficult— but you are not alone. PACCT is standing with you. We look at obstacles in life and rejoice in the knowledge that none of them are beyond our Savior’s reach and that he guides us on our cracked sidewalks, rocky paths, dusty gravel roads, and flat interstates to make difficulties more manageable. We are inspired by Habakkuk 3:19: “The Lord God is my strength; and He will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places …” May it be so!

Smith, a member of Christ the King Free Lutheran, Pipestone, Minn., is the PACCT leader along with her husband, Wayne.