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His Love Endures Forever

An eternal view of God's work in our lives leads to thankfulness.

Written by Patsy Evans | Sunday, December 1, 2013

The testimonies of God’s faithfulness over time showed me that an eternal view fosters thankfulness. God’s love is enduring even when I am frightened by change or discouraged by the crisis of the moment.

 

This year, our church’s 40th anniversary celebration aptly coincided with the Thanksgiving season. We listened to the testimonial of Peggy, who heard the Gospel for the first time while attending VBS in Frieda’s yard. As an adult, Peggy became a Christian, eventually joined our church and volunteered to work with Frieda in leading VBS. We learned of the time Nancy partnered Jill, a single woman longing for marriage, with Peter, who felt he was through with women after a divorce, to lead the teen’s Sunday school class. A few months later, Jill and Peter married. Today, they continue in joint ministry.

The testimonies of God’s faithfulness over time showed me that an eternal view fosters thankfulness. God’s love is enduring even when I am frightened by change or discouraged by the crisis of the moment. Here is how I thank God for His work in my own church.

People moved in and joined the church. People moved away for jobs. Some moved back.
His love endures forever.

Babies were born. Children were adopted. Children grew up. Children’s children were born.

His love endures forever.

The church building was finished. The church building was added onto. The building was enlarged again.

His love endures forever.

People with many backgrounds and ethnic heritages attended. Shee Ping. Akousa. Stage. Angela. Ruchi. Ivar. They worshipped God with one voice.

His love endures forever.

Our town grew. Our town grew in resistance to the Gospel. God’s people grew in their love for the town’s souls.

His love endures forever.

The Senior Pastor had black hair. The Pastor had many sanctifying experiences. The Pastor had grey hair.

His love endures forever.

Ministry groups waxed. Ministry groups waned. Some members lost weight. Some members gained weight. A youth named Terri grew up to become a Youth Group leader.

His love endures forever.

The building went from a polling place to a blood donation place. The pew Bibles went from NIV to ESV. The hymnals went from blue to red. The window treatments went from ‘70s drapes to ‘90s blinds. Vacation Bible School went from being called Vacation Bible School to being called Fun Week and back again. The nurseries went from one to two. The siding went from dark brown wood to light cream vinyl. Communion went from six times a year to two times a month. The seating went from chairs to pews. Our street went from sleepy to busy. The pastor’s office went from a corner of his home to the corner office in the church. The newsletter went from being composed line-by-line on a manual typewriter to being posted online. Attendance went from 80 to over 200.

His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.
His love endures forever.

A country girl married to a city boy for 40 years, Patsy Evans experiences the full spectrum of what is it like to love a pastor and be the mother to two children in ministry. What she does know, she shares with you and prays it will glorify God. This article first appeared on her blog Sunday Women and is used with permission.

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