Have I ever told you why I decided to stay here in Canada and not to go back to Finland
There was a man with a young family in my previous congregation. John came to church faithfully every Sunday with his wife and kids. After serving the congregation for two years I learnt that John got only two weeks of vacation a year and that one of them he volunteered at our kids’ bible camp, helping out his wife who at that time was the director of the camp. I was moved by his commitment and love to the church. To stay here meant uncertainty to me and my family. At that time I did not have a full time, permanent call (job), and I did not receive all the benefits I would have got in Finland
During these 8 years that I have lived in Canada
Your witness can change someone’s life. John’s changed mine.
Dear Riitta, if my family inspired you, then I also want to let you know that your work at our little church inspired me. As the former church secretary I saw you come into the office during "office hours" with a smile on your face and ready to get to work. You made changes in our church - the ones you can see and changes in attitude that I now see. You gave us little pushes to adjust our thinking. As a woman with a young family I began to feel that maybe our children were welcome in the church service as well. My baby could cry in church and it was okay. My young daughter could skip in the aisle, and it was okay. My kids could feel that the church was theirs to play in and pray in. (Of course, within reason!) It is exactly how I felt when I was really young. I've made a few changes to my Sunday School classes and I teach a little differently to keep the children engaged and excited to come back. I've also made other changes. Change is okay, change is good. And I learned (with a few tears) that even when a pastor leaves, that the spirit and lessons taught do not have to leave with them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for everything Riitta. We love you.
Paula
(John's wife)
It never ceases to amaze me that the things I do that I think are significant seem to get little notice. I don't mind that as I prefer to work quietly in the background. I was made for thankless jobs. Indeed, I have come to loathe compliments and overt thank yous.
ReplyDeleteBut it is the little things that matter the most. People have told me how I have touched their lives in some small way to which I have but one response: "Ya, but that is just me."
Riitta, you have helped many. I must take this opportunity to thank you for your gentle pushing me toward music and singing. It has been appreciated. Today we had our spring concert, and I had the opportunity to do a small solo section. It was a blast that would not have been realized without many peoples' help.
But it was your push that started me on this journey when that part of my life seemed to have ended.
Thank you.
John M Reynolds