While Good Friday is not a holiday in France, the Monday after Easter Sunday--called Easter Monday-- is. It is 9:11 a.m. on Monday morning and as of this moment Gemma and I are the only ones up. She is busy playing with her toys; I am enjoying a contemplative cup of tea.
I love Easter and Christmas, but they are exhausting for those who are in ministry. For us, yesterday went like this:
In the morning, Graham and Chandler and I lead worship in the English service with the help of a friend who has a lovely soprano voice. Then David preached--his second sermon in his whole life! Our church was filled to the gills, and we estimate that at least a third of the people there where non-Christians. They heard a clear presentation of the Gospel and they received a warm and loving welcome.
After the English service we went home for our Easter lunch.
In the afternoon we headed back to church to prepare for the French service, where our family was responsible for the worship. David had prepared and led a worship service on Good Friday; the boys and I had rehearsed twice in order to lead the worship in the English service; however, in the midst of a very busy week, we had not yet had time to rehearse for the worship in the French service. So we went to church well in advance of the service time in order to practice. But due to other last minute needs and technical difficulties, that rehearsal never happened.
I found myself thanking God that He continually prepares us for moments like these. You know, those moments when you just have to trust the one in charge (David), follow to the best of your abilities, and leave the rest to God. David led capably, the boys and I followed like well-trained soldiers, and the Spirit of God worked His magic. Worship happened in spite of us.
After the French Easter service, we crashed in front of a movie and ate popcorn for dinner.
The movie ended at 10:00 p.m. and the boys and I headed up to bed--but not David. He had a critical paper to finish for his Hermaneutics class. That man never ceases to amaze me. When he crawled in bed just before midnight, I heard him snoring before his head hit the pillow.
I think Easter Monday is a brilliant idea.
I love Easter and Christmas, but they are exhausting for those who are in ministry. For us, yesterday went like this:
In the morning, Graham and Chandler and I lead worship in the English service with the help of a friend who has a lovely soprano voice. Then David preached--his second sermon in his whole life! Our church was filled to the gills, and we estimate that at least a third of the people there where non-Christians. They heard a clear presentation of the Gospel and they received a warm and loving welcome.
After the English service we went home for our Easter lunch.
In the afternoon we headed back to church to prepare for the French service, where our family was responsible for the worship. David had prepared and led a worship service on Good Friday; the boys and I had rehearsed twice in order to lead the worship in the English service; however, in the midst of a very busy week, we had not yet had time to rehearse for the worship in the French service. So we went to church well in advance of the service time in order to practice. But due to other last minute needs and technical difficulties, that rehearsal never happened.
I found myself thanking God that He continually prepares us for moments like these. You know, those moments when you just have to trust the one in charge (David), follow to the best of your abilities, and leave the rest to God. David led capably, the boys and I followed like well-trained soldiers, and the Spirit of God worked His magic. Worship happened in spite of us.
After the French Easter service, we crashed in front of a movie and ate popcorn for dinner.
The movie ended at 10:00 p.m. and the boys and I headed up to bed--but not David. He had a critical paper to finish for his Hermaneutics class. That man never ceases to amaze me. When he crawled in bed just before midnight, I heard him snoring before his head hit the pillow.
I think Easter Monday is a brilliant idea.
Whew! Powered by the Spirit indeed...
ReplyDeleteAmazing story. May I invite you to share your true stories at my Blog Hop: "Tell Me a True Story."
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My other site is: a Joyful Noise at: http://hazel-moon-blog.blogspot.com/
May the Lord richly bless you and your family!
That is rough! I think a lot about tentmakers that are working, in full-time ministry and in school It's a lot. But if God has called us to it, we have to obey, while using healthy boundaries.
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