On Painful Transitions…

Tonight was a hard night.

Tonight I gave my congregation- the first (and only) church I ever pastored- my letter of resignation. It was hard, because we aren’t running away from any personal problems. I love the people here, and to the best of my knowledge, they love my family and me as well. It was a night of shedding tears, hurt, and disappointment.

Yet, I do believe that God is in the details. We will see where He leads- both in the lives of Faith Baptist Church of Skowhegan and the Linscott family. For now, do please keep a small and struggling church family before the Lord, won’t you?

We’re grieving.

(this text concluded my resignation letter)

Submission
By William Cowper

O Lord, my best desire fulfill
And help me to resign,
Life, health, and comfort to thy will,
And make thy pleasure mine.

Why should I shrink at thy command,
Whose love forbids my fears?
Or tremble at the gracious hand
That wipes away my tears?

No, let me rather freely yield
What most I prize to thee;
Who never hast a good withheld,
Or wilt withhold from me.

Thy favor, all my journey through,
Thou art engaged to grant;
What else I want, or think I do,
’Tis better still to want.

Wisdom and mercy guide my way,
Shall I resist them both?
A poor blind creature of a day,
And crushed before the moth!

But ah! my inward spirit cries,
Still bind me to thy sway;
Else the next cloud that veils my skies,
Drives all these thoughts away.