Decisions, Decisions....

I am decisioned out...Do I go get myself another cup of coffee, or do I write? Should I be cleaning up the house before the realtor comes over, or do I write? What will Erich's decision be...stay or go? I guess I've just made the decision to not make decisions at all right now...I am going to write...after I get my cup of coffee.

Erich is holding a Divine Call to be Pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in North Branch, Michigan. YES! Michigan! This is the Welcome sign that we pass under crossing over the border from Indiana to Michigan, and it pretty much sum up how I feel about that state. I love it. The people are warm and welcoming, the scenery is nice to look at (especially in the Mackinac area), and most importantly--I have family and friends there. I spent summers at my grandparents' house in Bay City, went to High School at Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, and taught in Chesaning for 3 years! To say that I have strong ties to that place would be a complete and utter understatement...BUT...the decision is not mine to make.

Erich needs to make this decision based on which congregation he feels needs his ministerial gifts the most. He is the Youth Pastor here...they need someone to start a Youth Program there. He loves visiting the Shut-ins here...they need someone who loves giving spiritual counsel to the elderly. St. James would like to focus on outreach...here at Christ, Erich heads up the outreach committee...clearly, he would be doing much of the same things, with the exception that he would be doing them alone, whereas at Christ, there is another Pastor.

I believe that God called Erich here for many reasons, some of which we will never know. But one of them was to help Erich get back on track. After his year of cancer treatments, Erich was extremely weak and exhausted....it took him his first full year hear to recover. Being one of two Pastors made it just that much easier to recouperate.

But now...I believe Erich needs to spread his wings. He has been given such a wonderful gift in that he has been cancer free for almost 5 years...a miracle. He needs to see what he is capable of...

Whatever Erich decides, I will support him. I am proud of him for the man that he has become and for the humble way in which he serves God's people.