my retirement

As far back as I can remember, one of the most influencing factors in my life has been church. We didn't just "go" to church on Sunday morning. We were the church. I grew up running up and down the hallways, passing out snack in nursery, singing (albeit poorly) on the youth worship team, folding bulletins, setting up and taking down folding chairs, standing around waiting for the building to empty out before it could finally be lunch time on Sunday, helping lead bible studies, run summer youth camp and everything in between. You see, I was a PK...a "pastor's kid." We never just go to church. We are the church.

We moved from Los Angeles to Cary, NC when I was ten years old, a place no one in southern California had every heard of. Starting a church with a handful of people, we were the staff, sound team, volunteer leaders, sunday school teachers as well as being the PK's. I cannot remember a Sunday of my childhood when I did not spend at least 4 hours at church. Every major holiday was in town, because we could not travel and miss Christmas or Easter service.

Some days it was hard. Some days I hated that random people from church would stop me at the mall and ask about my college plans and I had no idea who they were. Some days I wish my dad didn't have to be in town and we could just take off for weekend trips. Some days I wondered if my faith in God was built on my own decided beliefs or by the bible stories I had heard and read over and over throughout the years. Some days I wished I did not feel the need to jump and up and run over to the sound board every time a microphone had feedback on stage.

But I would not trade if for one single moment of the amazing example of Godly leadership I witnessed every day of my life growing up. I learned to pray by listening to the thousands of prayers I heard my dad pray. I learned to worship by sitting next to my dad as he practiced songs for Sunday morning on his guitar in our living room. I learned how to be a Proverbs 31 woman by watching my mother never waiver in my support of my dad, from our house to the pulpit. I watched my parents build leaders, take criticism and divisiveness with their heads held high and their honor always in place, and give of themselves till they had nothing left to give. I learned to trust God and always pray, even when healing seems unbelievable and saw His mercy over and over. I saw marriages built back together at counseling sessions at my dining room table and learned that God's plan might not always be our plan, but it always a plan for good.

Today my parents announced they will be transitioning out of the roll of senior pastors at our church. The retirement of your parents might not seem like a big deal to most people, but it has been heavy on my heart for months as they prayed and made their decision. Because most of the time, your parents retirement does not cause you to retire as well.

Today I retired as a PK. And I could not be more proud of my pastors and the run we had together.

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

~Corrie Ten Boom