A couple of Sundays ago, my dad, who is now 84 years young, was on the service schedule to play his harmonica in a Sunday evening service! He had a shoulder replaced recently and Sister Hoffee (Brother and Sister Hoffee make up our Music Director Team) texted me and asked me if I knew whether he was able to play.
The following are excerpts from our texting conversation:
Sis H: Your dad is on the schedule for Sun night; do you know if he is able to play?
Me: I'm sure he would love to!
Sis H: Would you let him know, or should I?
Me: If you don't mind, He would like it if you called him.
Sis H: Oh sure may I have his number?
Me: I can call him if U don't have the time. I just know he would feel more important if U call. Understand?
Sis H: I will be Happpppppy to!
Sis H: He'll do it! He wants to play Who Am I and he wants you to play for him.
Me: OK. It means more to him having you ask him than if I asked him. He would love to play either way, but you made him feel special. I appreciate your taking the time to call him.
Sis H: O my goodness. Of course! He's so VERY special to us.
Me: And I agree. It just feels better to a guy like him to feel that from someone other than family. Did I say thank you?
Sis H: I think it's important for *everyone* to feel important from those outside of their family. I totally understand.
Me: This is a perfect example of how your ministry goes far beyond what is seen from the platform. You guys do a wonderful job!
Sis H: Thank you so so so much.
Me: People can tell when you are sincere. And you are. Thanks.
I know that we all know and understand this simple fact, but every now and again, we need to be reminded that what is seen in public is but a small part of our ministries. This goes for Pastors, Assistant Pastors, Sunday school workers, Music workers, Youth Leaders, (I should have never started; now I don't know where to stop) Ushers, and everyone else who is involved in ministry in any way. That should literally include everyone! It is amazing how such a simple thing like Sister Hoffee calling rather than me calling could make such a tremendous difference in the way my dad felt about playing. Oh, he would have jumped at the opportunity no matter who had asked him to do it, but she made him feel so special for several days. And she's right everyone needs to feel special every once in a while. Men, women, children of all ages!
When we were on the road, many nights after my family was ready to leave the restaurant and get to bed, I would be engaged in a serious conversation with the Pastor; a conversation that never sometimes seemed to end. But I always felt that it was a part of my ministry to listen and nod as if I knew what he was talking about. It didn't happen all the time, but on many occasions, I could tell that the Pastor just needed to talk; he needed to talk to someone not involved with what he was dealing with at the time. And because I was willing to listen, he talked. He knew that I was gone tomorrow morning and didn't know who he was referring to anyway, and so he talked. Many times he would talk through tear filled eyes, but he kept talking. And I kept listening. We were finished "ministering;" the lights were off at the church and everyone had gone home. But I knew in my spirit that I was still ministering to a man who just simply needed an ear. And we both felt so much better when it was all said and done. It's a subject for another time, but we all could be better listeners!
Every Child of God is a minister. Most of your ministry will never be seen by man, but God sees it all. Listen, smile, encourage someone, make someone feel special today.
The American poet, Maya Angelou, said: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
Make Someone Feel Special Today!
Obs From The El
