Celebrating with my Family

This year is especially difficult for me. My beloved mother passed away suddenly just over two months ago. If she were still alive, I won't be writing this blog as we would be having our reunion dinner. But this year my brothers had made other plans. So I shall be celebrating with my true family, my church. But the irony in a few days' time, I shall be bidding them farewell.

They are taking it rather well as I have been speaking with them, encouraging them to stay united, not quarrel and serving the Lord. So I am celebrating Lunar New Year with my church family. A couple of people will be coming to our place and my wife is pleased to have them over and we will have dinner together. 

Then on Thursday the cell group that I attended regularly last year will also be holding their first meeting of the year and I think they are holding it as a farewell to their pastor. On Friday I shall be leading my last prayer meeting as a church pastor. 

Then on Saturday I shall be attending my last rehearsal and Sunday I shall be preaching my last sermon all during the first week of Lunar New Year. Finally, Sunday evening the church is holding a holding a farewell dinner for me, some steamboat dinner at a restaurant. I told them not to do it, but praise God finances improved in the last couple of months. 

It's quite simple maths. When more members attend church, the offering increases as well. Even yesterday, the emcee during the start of the service thought the church would be just half full since we have a long weekend with Schools and Universities closing for a whole week. However, with the kids included, we have more 130 people in church yesterday and I preached a powerful sermon mixed with humour and utmost seriousness when called for. 

When I think about all these things, perhaps for a short time, for a year or two most people will not understand why I had to go, but soon, I think they will understand it is the best for everyone, at least for now, but I told the congregation two Sundays ago, I am a pastor at large, and one member already booked me for counselling when she gets engaged and marriage counselling as well, maybe in 2 years' time.