I have confidence in many things about myself. I know I write well. I'm a good mom. I have a nice singing voice. But I was very shy as a child, and it's never been easy for me to make friends or get to know people. People have often perceived my shyness as snobbiness. I work in the church, so I feel like people think I'm dull, weird, and judgy. For these and other reasons, I've never been confident that people actually liked or appreciated me. But I suppose we've all got an insecure 7th grader threatening to burst out of us.
Yesterday, our congregation had a potluck to celebrate that we've now done ministry at Our Savior's for 10 years. 100 people came, and many others wished they could've come. Numerous people came to tell us how much they appreciated us and how we've touched their lives in these 10 years. We got verbal and written greetings beautifully sharing people's gratitude and excitement about continuing to do ministry together in the future. It was almost surreal. For most pastors, such appreciation is saved for their farewell party. When we left our previous call in Montana, the most stoic, quiet people who hardly said a word to us in our 3 years there, came and tearfully recounted the reasons that they loved us and would miss us. Yesterday, we heard, "We're so blessed you came here. Thanks for all you've done for us." It sounded very much like what we heard in our last call, but there was no, "Goodbye and good luck" at the end. Because they're going to see us next week. And next month, and for a long time after that. I don't think I was prepared to hear such rich words of love and gratitude from people who I'll continue to preach to, worship with, laugh with, and cry with in the foreseeable future.
I think pastors expect to be underappreciated. So much of what we do goes unseen. After all, "Pastors only work on Sundays," right? But in the last month, I realized that I was unprepared to hear how deeply we are appreciated. We put a lot of time, creativity, energy, and thought into ministry. Often, just doing ministry is enough to satisfy and excite me. But hearing how much people appreciate what we do and who we are to them, has been a most unexpected delight. It reminded me of the power of words and gratitude, and inspires me to verbalize my thanks even more often.
So who do you most appreciate in your life? Have you told them? Why not tell them now?
