Life in the Fish Bowl - Part 2

My previous post was about the HARD times, the ones that cause pain, are difficult and trying...HOWEVER, there is SOOO much more to life in ministry than that and the blessings that come from living a life of vocational ministry are NUMEROUS!

Let's get started!!!! Here are 6 of the HIGHS of being in ministry!

1.) Seeing God move in BIG ways: I can't tell you how many times we have literally witnessed the hand of God move in ways that are 100% GOD!!! We have seen financial needs met both in the ministries where we have served and in our personal lives. We have seen healing come when Doctors said there was no cure. We have seen restoration of relationships that were thought to be hopeless. We have seen the Gospel taken to people groups where it was never once welcomed! We have witnessed the healing of our own son from a disease that would have been devastating!

2.) Friendships and Relationships with so many different people from many different walks of life: From single mothers who are lost, lonely and hurting; to professional athletes; to missionaries all around the world; to politicians; to millionaires and more...our paths have crossed with some of the most amazing and yet also some of the most ordinary people. We have had the opportunity to see their hearts, to listen to their passion for the Lord.

3.) Seeing seeds of change planted and at times harvested: We have had the opportunity to plant seeds of not only the Gospel but also life time commitment to ministry planted in lives of many. To work with youth for several years and then to see them graduate and enter the mission field, vocational ministry, or become a spouse of one in ministry is simply AMAZING! In addition we have seen young people take the Gospel into schools, their homes, their families and experience change!!!

4.) Various Cultural Experiences: Due to both moving and the opportunity to be on multiple mission trips - our entire family has had the privilege of living in and experiencing a vast number of cultures. From the mountains of Colorado, to the plains of Texas, to the hill country of Tennessee and Arkansas, to the bush of Zimbabwe, to the country of Romania, and across the border to Mexico we have experienced and learned so much about various people groups, regions and life!

5.) Flexibility: Our family has been able to embrace flexibility and change. Although not always without struggle, we have learned that change is GOOD and that it is okay to think outside the box and be adventurous.

6.) Freedom in time with family: We are blessed to have Joel in a profession where he is able to attend almost all of our kids school and sporting events! He is able to go to parties, games, field trips, competitions and more!

We know that many of these things can be and are experienced outside of vocational ministry and for that we are so very thankful because these are HUGE! The purpose of this series of blog posts really was to just let you all see what is sometimes missed when you are merely looking "into" the Fish Bowl rather than "swimming inside it". So many things can't be truly seen from just observing those in ministry and we wanted to share them with you!

Overall - life in this Fish Bowl called ministry is AMAZING simply because we KNOW that this is where God has called us, we are walking in obedience to Him and we can't wait to see what awaits us! Anytime you are doing what God has given you a passion for, a desire for, a love for...then the HARD is able to be endured because the BLESSING is BIGGER!!!