Dear PK’s,
I was you once. Well, I guess I still am, a ‘Preacher’s Kid’ even though my Dad went home to the Lord a few years back.
I wanted to say “thank you.”
Thank you for all the time you sacrificed with your mom or dad for my family to have a wonderful holiday season. Maybe you enjoy attending all the extra services; I know I didn’t as a teenager. The multiple Advent services, add in more services on Christmas Eve, arriving early, leaving late?
Thank you for your gift of time. And to those of you who dragged yourself out of bed on Christmas morning to attend church yet again so your family could stay together while your parent had to work…You deserve a pair of wings.
What you gave up matters and I wanted you to know that. It came to me as I sat behind you in your pew upfront. You see, my family had some tough moments this past year. But December’s celebrations brought us all together again. Family members who hadn’t seen each other for awhile squeezed together in the same pew listening to your mom or dad sharing the old-and-familiar, much-needed-to-hear story that provided my family with a God-conversation on the drive home and around our table.
The sacrifice of time with your family gave my family the hope and healing it needed. Even though it may be a big pain to you now, one day (after I’m long gone) you’ll look back on the holiday ministry your mom or dad did with fondness. You won’t remember how annoying it was. You’ll remember how special it was, you’ll smile, and maybe, you’ll say “thank you” to your pastor’s kids.
Have a great New Year!
Christmas isn’t exceptionally busy for my family, but the rest of the year is. We try to manage the kids’ time here at church, because we know they never agreed to this. Our oldest hates when he misses, because I had to come in really early and chose not to wake him, my wife, and our other kid. The younger one is only one, so we’re not sure how he feels about it, but I would rather have them disappointed to have missed church periodically than disappointed it’s Sunday again.
Thanks for reminding me of those memories. You are so right. I think us adult PKs need a bit reminding and also to say thank you.