Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

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Scratching the Surface

of

When Counseling is Effective

I’ve often wished I had more time.

Ultimately, I’m with Quoist’s prayer: “You know what You are doing.  You make no mistakes in your distribution of time.  You give each one time to do what You want him to do.  But we must not lose time…waste time…kill time…for time is a gift that you give us, but a perishable gift, a gift that does not keep…I am not asking You, Lord, for time to do this and then that, but Your grace to do conscientiously, in the time that You give me, what You want me to do.”

Truly, there are more needs than time to fill ‘em.

I average about 70 hours a week as an undershepherd.

That’s more of a frustration than complaint; for I knew what I was getting into from the start with the help of my first mentor The Rev. Harold F. Mante.  I’ve always known the hours would be long; and our Lord has always provided the strength for me to meet His assigned tasks.

Yet, I’ve often wished I had more time; for there are more needs than time to fill ‘em.

As the demands on my time keep increasing, I’ve had to become very careful with my calendar.

Yeah, I wish I could just put a jug of lemonade on my desk and declare, “Ya’ll drop in anytime…’cause I ain’t got much to do.”

Wish that were true.

Really.

But it’s not; and I have had to become a better steward of the time entrusted to me.

Actually, that has made me into a much better counselor; because I now turn immediate attention to the only One who can save here and now as well as in the end.

I think of a woman who called not too long ago.

She: “Do you remember me?  You counseled my husband and me about nine years ago.  We’re in trouble again.  Can you help us?”

Me: “Where are you worshipping?”

She: “We’re…not…right now…but…”

Me: “The best way to begin getting your life and marriage and everything…well…begins with worship.  So come to our first or second service on Sunday and then I’ll meet with you and begin…”

It’s a John 14:6 and Acts 3:1-10 reality about effective counseling.

Some things are sooooooo obvious.

I was playing golf with my favorite Special Olympian.

Me: “I stink at putting.”

Billy: “Maybe you should practice.”

It brings too many to mind: “I don’t know who I am or what I’m doing or where I’m going.  My marriage, family, school, church, job, and world stink.  My life is a mess.”

Jesus: “Abide in Me.  As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine.  You are the branches.  Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.  Apart from Me, you can do nothing.”

Some things are sooooooo obvious.

There are more needs than time to fill ‘em.

Annnnnnnd maybe that’s not as bad as it sounds; for counseling only becomes effective when Jesus is the prescription.

Band-aids are helpful.

They stop the bleeding.

Jesus saves.

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Blessings and Love!

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