His Responsibility

One of the greatest things about my new job is the amazing people I get to be around. One of those is a pastor from "the hood" (as he calls it), Pastor Thomas. Pastor Thomas is close to 70 years old, has walked with Christ his whole life, lead a church on the south side of Cape Girardeau for all of his adult life, raised 8 children, has been married for 47 years, had a second job for years with Fed Ex so that he could put shoes on children's feet for school (not his own children, by the way) and is one of the most godly and humble people I've ever met. Our church partners with his and some of us meet together every Wednesday morning. We mostly sit and listen to Pastor Thomas give words of wisdom on whatever subject comes up. I think I'm going to start shamelessly taking notes while he talks or bring a tape recorder.

Yesterday he was telling the story about God providing a house for him when his was falling down around him and full of black mold (an amazing story of God's faithfulness and of waiting on God instead of taking matters into our own hands!). He made a statement that will stay with me forever. He said, "I decided that I am God's responsibility and it was up to Him to take care of and provide for me".

I am God's responsibility. Today I'm trying to let that really soak in and penetrate my heart so that I can trust and serve God like Pastor Thomas does.

I guess that is what God has been teaching me my whole life. The Bible says that I'm not supposed to worry about what I'll wear or eat....I'm God's responsibility to provide for. It says that God is the one who opens doors and closes them, that I should cast all of my cares onto Him, that I can have peace in times of hardship and famine, that He is my healer, that He sees when I come and when I go (His eye is always on me), and on and on it goes. All because I am His responsibility.

And all those I care for so deeply are His responsibility as well. My husband, my children, my friends, my parents, etc. Even Michael is His responsibility.

How freeing is that? Once again I'm reminded that MY job is to obey Him and GOD'S job is to take care of me and all that I call mine! I guess that is what makes the yoke easy and the burden light!

I think I'll sleep better tonight. Thank you, Pastor Thomas.