Just Like Anybody

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Dalton felt nervous on his way to return books his dad had borrowed from Pastor Green. Our family hasn’t attended any church until lately, but now I have to talk with the pastor! he thought. What in the world could we talk about? Maybe he won’t be home.

Dalton parked his bike in the pastor’s driveway and slowly walked to the door. Timidly, he rang the bell. “Hey there, Dalton,” Pastor Green said, taking the books Dalton handed him. “My wife just took some of her famous chocolate chip cookies out of the oven. Are you hungry?” Dalton could never turn down a chocolate chip cookie, so he followed the pastor into the house.

As he greeted Mrs. Green in the kitchen, Dalton heard the sound of a football game on TV—the same game he had been watching back home. “Looks like the game is done,” observed Pastor Green.

“You watch football games?” Dalton asked in surprise.

Pastor Green laughed. “Sure. I’ve been a football fan ever since I was your age.” He picked up a small pail. “Since it’s over, would you like to go out to the berry patch with me? I’m going to pick raspberries. Why not come along and pick some for your mom?”

“Okay,” said Dalton. And that’s how he found himself in a berry patch, talking to Pastor Green about school and football and all kinds of things.

“I didn’t know pastors did…uh…regular things,” Dalton said after they had talked awhile.

Pastor Green grinned. “Some people seem to think pastors study and read the Bible all the time,” he said. “I’m sure we study more than most people because we need to teach God’s Word at church. But we have to learn all those lessons ourselves too. We’re really just like anybody else. Jesus continues to work in our lives and helps us get to know Him better, just like He does with other Christians.”

Dalton nodded. He was thoughtful as he went home with a bag full of berries a little later.

The next day at church, Dalton listened to the sermon more attentively than usual. Knowing that Pastor Green liked football and chocolate chip cookies and working in the garden made it easier to listen—and to learn. • Linda M. Weddle

How About You?

Have you wondered what pastors do when they’re not preaching? Ask them. They’ll be glad to tell you. Even though they have an honorable position teaching God’s Word, they are regular people who continue to see God work in their lives to help them grow. Get to know your pastor if you can, and pray for them. Ask Jesus to use them to share His truth and love with others—including you.

Today’s Key Verse:
1 Timothy 3:1 If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position. (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

Pastors are people too