I could write a book about everything my Dad, Raymond Busic, taught me, some by spoken word, much by silent example. My dad was my hero. He was always there for me, often quietly in the background. When I talked, he did not just wait for a chance to jump in and correct me. He actually listened to me, and tried to understand me.
Some people grew up having to fear a whipping if they missed behaved. My dad never touched me, but he did discipline me, and I am a better man today for it. I always feared disappointing my dad. I did not do it often, but when I did, I felt like I was breaking his heart. That hurt me more than any spanking ever could.
Dad hung on to life like you cannot believe. I think we actually had to convince him that it was alright to die. He worried about leaving my mom and my sister behind, and missing all of us. Someone recently told me, after my health problems and near-death experience last year "You remind me a lot of your dad, your will to live" I'm sure he's where I get my toughness from, my determination to keep fighting. Dad lived for 30 years after his first stroke. He had all kinds of health problems. But he kept fighting, and he lived to see me graduate high school, college, and get married. He also saw all of his grandchildren be born. He was respected across the community, and known as a man of integrity and a man of his word. I don't know of one enemy Dad had. If I can be half the man my father was, I will have done well. He was and is my hero, my example, and my inspiration.
Well, now that I've had a good cry (my daddy taught me that was ok, too) I better get ready to go preach. My job is to be a good husband and a good dad. If I don't do that, how can I represent the love of God?
Have a blessed day!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Moving Day - Part 1
Moving Day. For United Methodist churches and their pastors, it is a day of excitement, sadness, so many feelings, and usually exhausted by the ride to the new church.
I first remember moving day from the mid 1970's. My best friend's father was the pastor of our church. Back then, it was unusual for a pastor to stay longer than four years at an "appointment"'. When Rev. Rogers came back for a fifth year, we knew our time with him was almost over. I remember going to the parsonage the day the loading truck came. I was really upset and mad. When my parents were really ill, I often stayed at the parsonage. It was like losing my second family. I also felt like the church asked Rev. Rogers to move because certain people wanted to control the church, and Rev Rogers himself. I do know that, while he was at our church, it was not at all unusual to have to set up folding chairs in the aisles to seat everyone in the congregation. The church has gone downhill since he left over 25 years ago.
In case you are not United Methodist, you may find it strange to move the pastor almost automatically after five years. These days, if pastor and church are willing, there is no longer a time limit. As for our "system", the Bishop appoints pastors to churches. UM churches do not go and hire their own pastors. We pastors are "sent" to the church.
My next post will detail some of what my kids have gone through in this process, as well as what other pastor's families have shared we me. PLEASE share your experiences, either here, or for more privacy, at revacb32@yahoo.com. All email will remain anonymous.
Been sick for a week-hope things continue to improve!
Have a blessed day!
I first remember moving day from the mid 1970's. My best friend's father was the pastor of our church. Back then, it was unusual for a pastor to stay longer than four years at an "appointment"'. When Rev. Rogers came back for a fifth year, we knew our time with him was almost over. I remember going to the parsonage the day the loading truck came. I was really upset and mad. When my parents were really ill, I often stayed at the parsonage. It was like losing my second family. I also felt like the church asked Rev. Rogers to move because certain people wanted to control the church, and Rev Rogers himself. I do know that, while he was at our church, it was not at all unusual to have to set up folding chairs in the aisles to seat everyone in the congregation. The church has gone downhill since he left over 25 years ago.
In case you are not United Methodist, you may find it strange to move the pastor almost automatically after five years. These days, if pastor and church are willing, there is no longer a time limit. As for our "system", the Bishop appoints pastors to churches. UM churches do not go and hire their own pastors. We pastors are "sent" to the church.
My next post will detail some of what my kids have gone through in this process, as well as what other pastor's families have shared we me. PLEASE share your experiences, either here, or for more privacy, at revacb32@yahoo.com. All email will remain anonymous.
Been sick for a week-hope things continue to improve!
Have a blessed day!
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