Eric Camp

Have you ever asked that? I mean, really? Did this really happen? Am I really doing this? Did I really just hear her say that? Does he really think that way?

Well, for me, it has been an almost hourly event as of late. Really.

I am going to save some of this for my sermons that are upcoming at Collective Church because I mean, I am running out of stories and situations to use as illustrations… until now. 🙂

I don’t want to compare or even sound like I am seeking sympathy in any way, but the last few months, especially the last couple of weeks have been, just WOW and WOE!

Let me give you a glimpse, just going back to Monday and Tuesday of THIS WEEK. I am dealing with an ongoing soap opera with a family member that is a narcissist but thinks they are Mary Magdalene. This has evolved into legal restriction, cease and desist letters, and blocking from all phone, email and radioactivity fall-out within 350 miles away. (might be a bit exaggerated, but hey… it’s a crazy time). This has been an emotional winepress and stressor because I just want it to stop. I have wanted peace and resolve for years, now I have to go no-contact and get legal involved. Is what it is.

What else? Well, my son had a blowout from a well-formed and adored pot-hole on the city streets of Ocean Springs that has cost over $2000 because of 2 new tires and a new rim was needed. Washing machine decided to quit yesterday (no repair person known to fix it) ((its a water pump on a kenmore front load if you are knowledgable. Youtube says it’s a pain and will make you cuss to replace, so I am attempting to not attempt that 🙂 , college tuition ain’t cheap, insurance premiums on the coast is legal crime, our admin roof at the church I pastor is having to get a few thousand dollars in repair (not in budget), 4 AC units at our church just had to be replaced (not in budget), my therapist is sick, people have decided to leave our church without talking about a problem they have because they, well, I will stop there… I include that because as a pastor, you actually care for and want people to just do the Biblically right thing. They don’t. It hurts. It is frustrating. People are mean and self-centered. Anyway, all of this to say that was my Monday and Tuesday. Really? Yea, there’s more, but I will spare you, them and a sermon illustration in the near future.

With all of that being said, let me encourage you. Yes. I want to encourage YOU. First of all, I want to encourage you to NOT feel sorry for me or offer your condolences, I appreciate it, but nah, I am good. However, I want to encourage YOU because IF you are going through things, MAYBE it is because you are working against all the forces of darkness trying to prevent you from obedience and following Jesus close. Maybe it is because you are being persecuted and abused because there is a promise and a purpose in this pain. HANG ON. STAND FIRM. I am trying to, I hope you do too. Good day! Join a group at Collective if you are on the Coast, they start tonight! I bet I know of some things that will be discussed in my group tonight………….Really.