Daily Post

I'm trying for the daily post these days. Had a really nice service this morning after I got over my frustration with my printer not working and the church's internet being down and the All Saints Banner missing in action. It was Pastor Appreciation Day and the church surprised me (really, they did) with a cake and a bunch of cards. I needed that. I still do. I've been really doubting myself lately. I know I'm becoming a better preacher every week. They let me know that. And my stories are getting better the more I tell them. I'm learning to listen for God as I speak and it's amazing to preach like that. The story is incredibly powerful. Today I was preaching on how we are to treat neighbors (the anyman/anywoman) as we would treat family and I was convicted myself of my desire to look out for my family before anyone else. I still don't know what God wants me to do about it, but I do want to really think about how I can LIVE my love of neighbor. I believe that will stay with me for a few days. I guess I am being changed right alongside my congregation. But my doubt is more about wondering if I am really liked. It sounds so junior high, but I really care about whether or not people like me. My congregation is full of people who are not in my peer group so I don't suppose they ever will really "like" me though they will appreciate me. And I think this is what bugs me the most. I have friends my age (not in my church) who like me for me. But I wonder if a congregation is supposed to "like" their pastor. They say they do, but I don't know . . . Maybe I'm PMSing or something. This is just the stuff that roams around my mind when I've had a long day with little sleep. Perhaps I should try again in the morning.