the hard things

Someone asked about the hardest things about being a pastor.  Here are some of them.

Burying someone that you love.
Absorbing the grief of those who hurt.
Listening to someone tell you that they are terminal.

Saying "no" to people who want things.
Not doing someone's wedding or funeral.
Managing budgets in a bad economy.
Not having enough funds to do everything that you want.
Telling someone why they aren't getting a raise.
Dealing with unhappy members.
Dealing with unhappy staff people.

Knowing that everyone expects you to be "on" every Sunday.
Disappointing people.
Not knowing all of your members.
Not being able to be apart of every program.
Dealing with folks that only want to talk to Jeff.

Listening to someone tell you that they are moving to another church.
Watching people disappear from church and never tell you goodbye.
Hearing complaints about various things.
Encouraging folks that can't seem to see the good.
Keeping your chin up day after day.

Someone asked, so there you go.  And so, the challenge for every day is to see the good.

It is a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.