Lessons

When I woke up on Friday, I knew something was up with my throat. I had not been sneezing or coughing. I didn’t have a runny nose. In fact, I felt fine, but I could feel my throat closing up on me.

AND, it just got worse. I talked with people at the Four:Twelve Event with Tom and Betty Tyndall on Friday night, but by the next morning I was struggling to talk. I gargled with saltwater, drank hot tea and water almost all day, but by the time I got to church, I was hardly able to speak. Somehow, I got through it.

Sunday, though, was worse. Try as I might, I could not make my voice work the way I wanted it to. I prayed and drank sufficient liquids. Others were praying, too. In the end, I did preach (what I felt was an important opening message in our new series, No Regrets) but I have to admit, it was a real struggle.

So let me say, thanks for your patience with my “raspy” voice. It was truly the best I had to give that day. I love to speak from our platform, and I love to have my messages as perfect as possible. However, this week, apparently God wanted to teach me some lessons.

Here’s what I learned (or was reminded of):

Lesson 1:
I have some great teammates. Jay and Scott did most of the speaking, praying, and welcoming this weekend for me. I needed them, and they came through. Darlynn commented that someone asked her if we always have beverage service at Covenant as she walked back and forth with hot mugs of steaming liquids for me. Jim Carr helped me by going to the store for fresh lemons for my drink. There were others, too, like the people working the sound and making adjustments. Our prayer team was wonderful, and Janet, my assistant, worked my small group table for me.

I’ll admit it. I hate to be waited on. I hate not doing my part. This week, I had no choice but to let folks help me. The lesson for me is that I am not a one-man show. I’m not as invincible as I like to think I am. When it comes down to it, one little frog in my throat can bring me down to nothing. I should remember that and be thankful for my voice and especially thankful for the teammates I have every week.

Lesson 2:
I have a lot of people who love me at Covenant. For all of you who shared your homemade remedies with me for instant throat relief, I thank you. I like the Amy Grant remedy the best: Go to McDonald’s and get a large chocolate milk shake and a large order of fries. Then, down them as quickly as possible. (I loved it, but I didn’t try it!). To my friend who gave me the recipe with lots of garlic and vinegar, I’m here to report that I did try that, and it was GROSS!

All in all, I received so many notes, recipes and well wishes that I was simply overwhelmed. I hope you know I love being the pastor of Covenant Church. I love all of you! I know I am respected and loved by many of you, but this weekend, it was really awesome to hear it and to feel it. In short, thanks for caring about me.

I also was reminded of what a great wife I have who loves me very much! I wish all of you could know what a wonderful lady I married. Her constant encouragement is a huge blessing to me, and this weekend was no exception. So, whenever you see me up on the platform, you should know there is a helpmate in our home always behind me, propping me up with love and support.

Lesson 3:
I am a tool. God doesn’t need me to get his work accomplished. He did fine before I came along, and He’ll do fine once I’m gone. In the meantime, I’m here to be used in His service as He needs. I need to be reminded of that occasionally!

I also need to be reminded that God often uses people who are weak, powerless, helpless and even foolish to get His message across. In fact, that God has me at this big church as the guy who speaks up front is really a statement of His sense of humor! The reality that I had no voice, and the Spirit still moved powerfully this weekend also speaks to that fact God can use anyone to accomplish His purposes.

Finally, just so you know, my voice was much better on Monday, and today, it’s almost completely back to normal! Funny how it all works out, isn’t it?

Branson