The Good beside the Bad
As I get older I attempt to pay attention more. Not
sure if it is wisdom, the realization of mortality, or some other condition in
my brain that causes it but it happens. And as I pay attention I think of times
lost, forgotten, and remembered. I try not to go to bed without saying what
needs to be said to whoever it needs to be said to. Not bad things, or
accusatory things, but things like, “Thank you”, “I appreciate you”, “I love
you”. The bad, accusatory, and difficult things I try to pray a few days about
before opening my pie-hole!
So
with all that said because it needed to be (see what I did there?), I come to
something that needs to be said. I need to tell you about someone. No, really,
I need to. 27 years ago this past weekend I met her. To spare you the time of
reading a documentary, we got married 27 years ago this coming February. She
was, and still is, shy and doesn’t like crowds. She shrinks in the face of a
crowd to just a comfortable person or two while I walk in front of the crowd
and start talking to anyone who’ll listen and even to some who don’t want to.
My life has always, somehow, been about the crowd that she is so uncomfortable
in. She actually gave up being a stay at home mom to put me in a position where
I could be in front of the crowd more. And it wasn’t like she just took
something to make a nickel. She excelled. Always has. She has been promoted at
every company she has been with. The longer she stays, the higher up she goes.
But it isn’t in front of the crowd so not as many people know it.
Most
people that know me know that I am not the typical Pastor. You may have differing
opinions on whether that is good or bad but either way, it doesn’t negate the
fact that it is true. And, Tammy is not the typical Pastors wife. She doesn’t
sing or play an instrument. She has no desire to be a great bible teacher. It
took her 5 years or more before she would sit with me on Sunday because I sat
on the front row. But Tammy is a servant. She gives. She gives to anyone that
will let her. I have seen her in years past fuming mad at a coworker, only to
be asking if we can give them money a few days later because they were in a
jam. I watch her try to choke back tears telling a moving story about people
she doesn’t even know. She is passionate! Our two kids are mostly fantastic because of her loving caring nature.
I
have watched her climb literally as far as she can go in her current job with
little or no recognition on her success. She has transformed into a leader but
because she doesn’t stick her face in front of everyone and beat her chest and
say look at me, few people even know. And please understand that this isn’t
written by her or even with her knowledge. As a matter of fact, I may need
somewhere to sleep after publishing this.
This
is best summed up with a story. I was asked and was honored to speak at a
funeral for a local police officer that had been killed in the line of duty.
Who would have thought that a couple of Pastors (Steve Craft and I) would have
the opportunity to speak in front of thousands of people? But we did. It was a
moving and emotional time and I cannot tell you how many people have come up to
me and thanked me for the message from that night. People have approached her
to tell her how much it meant to them the words that were spoken at the
funeral. But here is the rest of the story.
The
day the officer was killed I was on my way to meet her because we hadn’t gotten to spend
much time together. When it was all said and done I got home around 2am. I
spent numerous hours away from home over the next several days ministering and trying to help the family
as well as other law enforcement officers. Phone calls at all hours and prayers
and time. Tammy didn’t go to the funeral with me because she was watching our
new grandson so my daughter and her law enforcement husband could attend. She
watched the service online. I have wondered how many people while thanking me
have thought about the role that she plays without really being seen. And don’t
misunderstand, I love what I do and she has told me she wants me to continue
being me and staying in front of the crowd. She knows what I do is valuable to
the Kingdom and also important to our families with the Calling that God has
placed on us. But I also know the value that she has in the process also!
I
guess the bottom line is that my wife is awesome. She is not only filling a
role but any accomplishment or opportunity that I am able to experience; she
gets just as much credit. If it wasn’t for her understanding and giving
attitude, I would never be able to do what I do. So, if you see her today and
you appreciate anything that I have done, thank her for being great. And if you
look really close, you will see all that she does wonderful things as well and then you can
thank her for being a great leader, person, and friend!
Thx for reading,
Pastor Dad
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