I was always very close to my Grandmother. I would spend lots of weekends staying with my grandparents growing up. Over the years, my love and respect for my Grandmother only grew as did my desire for her approval. It wasn’t that she withheld it from me, I had her approval, it was just that sense of wanting a loved one to be proud of me.
When I moved to Oklahoma, we made sure to stay close through phone calls, letters, and visits. She was excited for me when I graduated as a physical therapist and got a great job at a hospital. I worked there for a few years, but during that time, I had a growing sense of being called into ministry. When I made the decision to go into ministry, I called my Grandmother and her reaction wasn’t what I expected. When I told her that I was going to go back to school to become a Methodist pastor, she cried out, “Oh, Wendy, are you sure? You know you can serve God as a physical therapist.” She wasn’t in favor of me going into ministry.
I’m sure it had a lot to do with the fact that the Methodist churches she had seen and attended were small and struggling churches that changed pastors every 3-4 years. She didn’t want that kind of life for her granddaughter. I was at a point where I could follow her recommendation and return to a very secure job or step out into an unknown future.
Sometimes following Christ means going against the wisdom of the world. My Grandmother loved me and wanted me to have a stable, financially secure life. It didn’t hurt my feelings that she wanted what she thought was best for me, I just had a different awareness of what that was. Going into ministry has blessed me and my family over and over. I wish my Grandmother had lived to see me appointed to St. Luke’s – she would have loved it!
It’s so important that we deepen our relationships with God so that we can be better aware of the next steps we’re to make. Our passions in life will differ from others. Follow your heart and, most of all, follow Christ. When you do that, the ones who love you will come around as well.
Rev. Wendy Lambert, Senior Executive Pastor
