I am writing this with somewhat mixed emotions. I have spoken in different churches this month and could write an entire column on the gratification I receive from being a part of such well-planned retreats, banquets, etc., such as my visit with the ladies of Forest Park Baptist Church in Montgomery. What an outstanding job Pastor John Gaines is doing. His wife, Susan, is a great asset. I sensed a warm spirit of love within the congregation. John attended Opelika First Baptist Church when my husband, Bob, was pastor. What a joy to see John grow into the minister he is today.
Sometimes, I feel I would enjoy writing a travel article, like Dr. Louie Newton used to do for The Christian Index. His car took him to the highways and hedges of any state you could name. There is nothing like visiting churches and feeling the pulse of the people.
Why mixed emotions? It is not enough for me to record visits to churches or mention the people who contact me concerning the work they are doing.
I have this desire to get into people’s hearts and try to help where they are hurting. You, the readers, convince me that as you read this article, you want to know what God has taught me since I last wrote. I have found it easy to write about other people yet difficult to bare my own soul.
One thing I learned at Forest Park is there are a lot of praying people. How wonderful to hear remarks such as, “You don’t even know me, but I have prayed for you through the years”; “I prayed for you when I lived in Dothan”; or “I heard you speak 18 years ago and have had you on my prayer list ever since.”
And then, there are the requests for prayer. I feel the greatest compliment anyone can pay a person is to request that you pray for them. I have learned much about prayer from those who seem to have it as a top priority in their lives.
Still learning
So, what has God taught me this month? I need to learn much more about prayer. I am a praying person, but there are mysteries God has to unlock for me that I will not know unless I earnestly seek His guidance in an even deeper way.
So many share with me that you can only spend quality time in prayer when, in your desperation and need, you call out to God. I am learning more and more that my time with God is and should be the most important part of my day. Though Jesus taught that genuineness, not length, is important to one’s prayer life, it takes time and effort to become genuine.
This letter I received from a pastor’s wife sums it up: “We have gone through so many difficulties in our church. Sometimes, I just want to throw up my hands and quit. Conversations with my husband help, but God understands more than he does. I help my husband more by staying on my knees. Only then do I find the desire to persevere. Mrs. Baggott, please pray for the troublemakers in our church. They have been the sore spot for every pastor who has been at this church. Please pray that either God will move them to another church or change their hearts. Prayer is the answer.”
I also learned this month that the little things in a church can hamper the spirit.
Thank you for your response to last month’s column dealing with the question: “Mrs. Baggott, with all you do at church, do you ever get to worship?”
It seems a great host of you have this problem, and several responded in your own way.
One man sent this note: “I had something I did not like about the worship service, and I was all ready to bend the ear of our pastor on Sunday morning when we concluded our third worship of the day. Remembering what the young man asked you, I decided to wait until Monday morning and call the church office. Thanks for the reminder [that] our pastor needs to worship, too.”
I feel better now. My emotions have been satisfied. I hope that through “Heart to Heart” I have helped you. I am going to spend more time this month in prayer for all of you, especially you, dear pastor and wife in that small church out in the country who think no one cares.
God does change the hearts of young people. There is hope for you, daughter. I care. Please write again.
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