My Pastoral Carer

By NARUTO

BECAUSE Pastoral Care deals with sensitive sharing, we keep details of our service under strict confidentiality. Like our name. So, I write my sharing under the pseudonym Naruto.

I cannot really remember when I was able to join the Light of Jesus Pastoral Care–but it was somewhere around 2006 to 2010.

As to how I joined, well, I am a tutor, and I needed to help my out-of-school youth students in dealing with their problems. So, I attended a seminar on Basic Counseling. There, I learned about the LOJ Pastoral Care and I became a member. And there, I found out about The Feast and also joined the faith gathering.

Whenever I attend The Feast, I always serve as a pastoral carer.

Challenges

In this Ministry, I faced two challenges.

First, the financial aspect. I was aware that in this Ministry, you’re like a missionary. No good enough monetary compensation. You receive only an allowance.

Second, handling a client who goes through healing and overall life transformation— through a very slow process. Honestly, I’m an impatient person. And I feel distressed seeing my clients distraught over their problems.

Third, trying to help a client even at times when I, too, am going through a crisis.

Lessons

How I was able to overcome these challenges?

Well, regarding the finances, I learned that God is really a great provider.

I had a job where I earned a five-digit income. Would you believe, that since I’ve been serving in Pastoral Care, I’ve been able to save more money than my five-digit income, and invest more in some businesses?

Truly, we serve the God of abundance. God opened my eyes and my mind as to how to give, and save, and invest.

Now, about the second problem– dealing with clients going through healing and change in a slow process: I have simply developed patience. I’ve learned to calm down whenever I see these clients upset, struggling miserably, through the healing process that they want so badly.

I’ve been able to humbly empathize with them. Patience, humility, empathy, and keeping calm have helped me to think straight rather than feel stressed when clients seem helpless.

About my third problem — helping my clients while I’m also struggling through own crisis– I’ve found out I am not alone in this dire situation.

You see, some of my clients actually are in the exact same situation. So, I’ve been able to feel what they feel, and give them advice –without telling them about my own personal distress.

I’ve realized I’ve always been self-reliant and self-sufficient, forgetting that I also need to take it easy and take care of myself.

So here, God has taught me about self-care – which starts with learning about humility. To humbly surrender my concerns to Him, and rely on Him to take care of me while I take care of others.

That’s what Pastoral Care is all about.

Thank You, Lord, my one, true Pastoral Carer.