As a child, playdates always ended
with the reminder that if I gave my mom a hard time about going home then I wouldn’t
be invited back or allowed to return to my friend’s house. All my mom had to do was give “the look” and I
knew the whining or the tears better get turned off because she meant what she
said (she was the world’s meanest mother after all!). Her early behavior management technique
helped me to learn that it is important to leave
well.
This lesson has benefitted me as a
United Methodist pastor. I have been
appointed to serve congregations and then appointed to serve another. My leadership to the congregation is
completed by how I say goodbye to the congregation. I have tried to encourage congregations to
continue using their gifts to be the church and to support and love their new pastor
just as they have supported and loved me.
I offer words of affirmation for the pastor who is following me. I try to fulfill commitments and leave things
in a way for the new pastor to lead the congregation forward. It is important to leave well.
Today ends a 31 day blogging journey
for me. It has really challenged me to
write something every day in October, but it has been a really great discipline
for me. I cannot promise to write a blog
every day from here on out, but I do promise to continue writing. This is an end to a daily journey, but it is
not an end to my blogging. I enjoy
writing. I enjoy reflecting. I am grateful to those of you who have shared
comments with me and to all who have been reading. I leave these 31 days with a renewed commitment
to written reflection. And I leave you
with a blessing that has been used throughout the years in United Methodist
youth groups,
“May the Lord bless you and keep
you.
May
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May
the Lord lift his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6: 24-26
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