Thank-you for Giving to the Lord

Tomorrow will be our first Sunday with our new officers. I feel . . . sad?

The Coopers, after spending - I think - two and a half years in Corner Brook, made a bit of an abrupt decision to leave our corp after Christmas when they were given the opportunity for a placement in Australia. Both of the Coopers' children were married this year, and they're growing close to retirement. Who could blame them for accepting such an excellent, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve in Australia?

It seems that the Coopers have had a bit of a hard time in Corner Brook. I think they've had to deal with a lot of issues and pressures from our corp all through the past two and a half years. On top of that, I've heard countless stories of discontent from people in my church because of the problems with our officers. They don't organize youth functions. Or there's no leadership. Or something.

I didn't fully understand the Coopers' struggle, however, until my mom told me today that, immediately after their final service last Sunday - the candlelight service - , our officers put their suitcases in their car and left to spend Christmas with their parents. We pretty much drove them out of town.

So, I'm really sad. The Coopers are two of the nicest people I know. They were the first officers that my family has actually developed some kind of a bond with. I know they put in tireless hours at the hospital and nursing homes, and visiting shut-ins at home. And, heck, they took time out of their 24-hour visit to St. John's this fall to take me out when I needed it most.

I hate that we do this to people simply because they're not quite who we want them to be.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:3-6