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I recently celebrated my second anniversary at our large faith-based mission that provides emergency shelter, housing and food services to hundreds upon hundreds every week.
It's been a more emotional milestone than I anticipated.
But it’s a hard story to fully explain to folks who weren't along for the divine, storybook ride the past two years. From collapse to new heights. From despair to incredible joy. From fear to hope, just as the gospel promises.
Having served a decade now, it was two years ago that I actually learned what being a pastor means. After all, when you pastor to neighbors who have nothing to give other than their gratitude, well ... that's when you understand your calling.
I've been fortunate that my wife, Shelley, joined me on this mission more than a year ago as well. Because the jobs we hold really are not positions as much as they just become your life. And it's a tad easier on the marriage when your partner says, "Yeah, I'm all in too."
The experiences we've had, the lessons we've learned, and the people we've met have transformed our lives, redefined what the gospel means to us, and in a lot of ways decluttered our lives of a lot of extraneous cares.
We recognize better what are trivial concerns, and (surprise!) it turns out nearly all of our concerns are trivial. When you work with hundreds of people every single day who are just in search of a meal, a bed and a little dignity, you learn how much time and energy we all waste on things that simply don't matter.
I believe we now cherish our family more, recognize the time given us is a gift and so why not put it to use serving others as Jesus intended, and that it has taught us to truly believe in the hope that Christ's "Good News" offers every single person.
Yes, there are the trials too. How can there not be in such pressure-packed, demanding roles? And, sure, we crack sometimes; just a little bit here and there. We're human, afterall, and the weight of what we do gets to each of us. Then, well, we rely on each other to help us stand up again.
Two years; two lives forever altered; but in the end, Shelley and I couldn't be more grateful.
Too many thank yous to even begin to list.
But I will say this: To those who rise each day in the service of their neighbor, God bless you. You are seen.
To those who give, thank you as well. Hunger and homelessness in America are growing alarmingly should be two issues upon which there are not ideological, political or theological differences.
And, finally, to our neighbors seeking just a bit of dignity in the crush of society's economic drive, you are not alone. You are loved. And my prayer today is you feel it. Amen.
Devlyn Brooks is the CEO of Churches United in Moorhead, Minn., and an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America serving Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn. He blogs about faith at findingfaithin.com, and can be reached at devlynbrooks@gmail.com.