What I’ve learned so far . . .
Being born in a blue-collar family in a small, out-of-the-way town doesn’t squelch God’s interest.
Being a bookish/dreamer/romantic in a family of nose-to-the-grindstone, get ‘er done pragmatists doesn’t disqualify or diminish you in God’s eyes.
Being drawn to studying music while hearing ‘that’ll never get you anywhere’ doesn’t mean you’re worthless in God’s sight.
Being gifted with words and ideas more than with hammers and screwdrivers can be God’s plan, too.
Being left-handed is to be differently blessed.
Being Canadian doesn’t mean I’m responsible for snow that falls.
Being (reluctantly) redirected from a Master’s Degree in Counseling to a degree in Biblical Studies can show God’s hand directing, too.
Being plunked down in France, with no idea as to why, can be one of God’s sneaky reveals.
Being the most reluctant/anguished/introverted pastor in all of France earns God’s seal of approval.
Being loved by the same woman for over 32 years and still to be called her godly man and perfect gentleman is a sweet reflection of love, both hers and God’s.
Being a pastor is the most beautiful, scary, holy, responsibility known to mankind (well, at least this man).
Being a pastor to you on this journey to the Father’s heart, this long obedience in the same direction, is a humbling honor, a holy burden, a happy accident, which causes me to shiver in my Birkenstocks every Sunday (and every day throughout the week).
So many reasons to have a heart full of Thanksgiving today!
Happy Thanksgiving y’all, with way-less-than-perfect, yet committed-for-the-long-haul, love!
PD
Don graduated from Regent University in 1988 and moved to France for seven years, coming back to the US briefly to marry Sue in 1990. The work in France included working in a Christian School and helping plant a church before returning in 1995. He’s been pastor of Peninsula Vineyard since 1999. He enjoys counseling, especially married couples, traveling back to France (with Sue), reading, doing Sudoku puzzles and sleuthing out good, dark chocolate. Don serves as the senior pastor of the Vineyard Church Peninsula, in Newport News, Virginia.