Challenging question when you consider what is a proper Pastor?

I was sat in a café the other day, a new one has opened (The Picture Café) off Market Square in Bingham where we live and it is really nice, they have had their teething issues with staff training etc, but then you expect that with a new business and you, well I do, roll with it and give them some grace.  I can’t remember why I was in on this particular day but I know I was on my own, so it must have been Thursday since wee man is in Pre School all day Thursday, I believe Yve was out getting a massage or something to do with haircut, something girly and pampering like, she deserves it.

I was sat there much like I am now and I just thought to myself I am a Pastor and a man of leisure that can do this sort of thing…what sort of thing, you know rock up to a coffee shop, whip out the laptop and sit with a Black Americano; Large and potter away on the laptop, looking either nerdy, geeky or just pompous, can’t decide which.  I think I wrote Sleep Deprivation [Internal Link] from there?  I know I wrote one of the recent posts.

Anyhoo, I was sat there and thought I have arrived all I need now is a sign which reads “Need Prayer?” and I have arrived, I am a proper Pastor!!  Weird since I am not that kind of person, well at least I didn’t think I was, out there evangelist asking random strangers/people if they want prayer.  I have heard of other pastors and friends doing something similar and seen FB posts saying anyone free for a Coffee meeting in Starbucks @….  I guess for me it is part of this new family life that I am living.  Firstly I only have the time to visit the Café since I am on Adoption Leave and don’t need to be in work mon – fri 9-5 so that helps.  But secondly, ironically I am not yet able to be so free since wee man is only in pre school Thursdays all day and Friday afternoon and Thursdays Yve and I spend together as some of the only time off together we get without the kids, since all other days especially weekends are kids, kids and kids, mostly both sometimes 1 each.  You got to protect the time with the missus, that is sacrosanct and a no go area, just ask some of the youth I looked after at the Olive Tree about ‘Date Night’ and they will tell you how sacrosanct this time is.

Maybe it will be different when wee man is more in pre-school after the summer he will be in 3 days a week all day, girly girl is already in school has been since day one. So perhaps after the summer I will be able to spend Tuesdays and Fridays (Yve currently works those days) in the café with a sign that says “I need prayer!” will wait and see…

Blessings

Father Abbott