...is a challenge.Sunday, 12/6/09, 10:18AM:
The air became stiff, breathes were stolen away from their owner, and tears started to flow. Ken Peet, family pastor at Grace Church SLO, announced the resignation of my youth pastor, Todd Roughton...No one saw this coming.Todd had just finished his sermon on the crucifixion, when Ken walked in - Bible in hand - and a sullen disposition posted on his face. Only the juniors and seniors knew that something was up (considering we know Ken, and if Ken is sad, it isn't a good thing). He took a deep breath, and told the youth group the announcement he had been practicing up in his office for hours; and still, it was a challenge. As Todd sat on stage next to Ken, the single, immediate question hung in the air..."Why?". Of course, no one really tells you why a pastor of any kind resigns. They just tell you: 1) It's not from sinning, 2) We've been discussing and addressing the issue for quite some time, and 3) It was a unanimous decision made up ultimately by Todd...Let me tell you...that's. not. enough. There we sat, motionless, throughout the entire announcement, all thinking the same questions: "Why? How could Todd leave after only two years? What will happen to us? What will happen to them? How are Ashlynn and Jeremy taking it? Was it because of money? The Elders? Us?.....Why God, why?" So many questions we desperately feel the need to answer. It's a horrible nagging feeling in your heart; and that question just keeps repeating: "Why?"FAITH. LOVE. HOPE. These words are ringing in my head.
~FAITH
- We have to have faith that God will take care of everything. That's right, EVERYTHING. He knows what has, is, and will be happening with the Roughtons and with us. I just need to have faith that God knows what He's doing. It's so easy to say, "Oh yeah, I know that God knows everything; so of course He knows what He's doing!". And yet, we give Him no credit whatsoever. Have faith, TRUE faith.
~LOVE
- Todd, Summer, Ashlynn, and Jeremy. A wonderful family who, right now, has A LOT more questions than we do. Just think for a second. We get to stay here, in our homes; they don't. We will have the same friends, the same jobs; they wont (well, they'll have the same friends, but not the job). We just have to sit back and wait for a new youth pastor to come; they have to go and search for a new church they can call "Home". They need more love than anyone right now, and all I can think about is myself, my worries. Todd, Sum, Ash, and J; I love you guys, and I will definitely be loving you even when you're not in SLO town anymore.
~HOPE
- GOD WILL PROVIDE. He will give us a new youth pastor. He will give the Roughton fam a new home; a new job. He is such a caring, and loving God; I can't believe how much I forget that. He's merciful, compassionate, loving, understanding, gracious, and my Father. He will provide. We just have to have hope in the promises of tomorrow.
For those of us still with many, many questions, I tell you this: never lose faith, never lose love, never lose hope. I pray for peace in the tough times, and wisdom in the tougher times. I pray for strength when I am weak, and tears when I am even weaker. I pray for boldness against the formidable, and openness with those I love. Todd, Summer, Ashlynn, and Jeremy; I love you all, and I pray that the best is yet to come in your lives. :) ~Jeremiah 29:11-13
