We tend to have quite a few different preachers at our church.  Being part of a multi-congregation parish that shares one minister, we rely on a number of lay preachers to fill all of our pulpits each week.  If I’m completely honest, there are some preachers I prefer more than others.

In fact, when I heard who was preaching at our church this week, the thought crossed my mind that perhaps I would stay home.  His sermons tend to be a bit doddery at times and often filled with the kind of jargon we can really do without in churches.

I tend to get a bit put-off by preachers who seem to think they need to impress upon a congregation their great learned theological knowledge.  I need stuff that’s going to challenge me in my day to day walk, not a heap of stuff that’s going to encourage me to start thinking about what we’ll have for lunch for the next week.

But this morning there was another problem.  You see, this particular guy has upset me recently.  In fact, he made me so mad I was ready to tell him to his face what I really thought.  I even threatened my husband that if he didn’t say something then I was going to!!!!  Cos I was REALLY MAD.

And I don’t get mad.  At least not very often.  And I’m reasonably non-confrontational so to think I was going to confront this guy gives an indication of just how mad I was.

He attempted to interfere in our lives as a way to control his own son and daughter-in-law.  I know all about controlling father-in-laws.  I have one of my own.  He doesn’t need any help or encouragement from outside influences.  Although, to his credit, his response to this guy was that we don’t listen to a word he says anyway.  :)  Go us!!!

That sounds bad but in reality, we had to break free from that control.  It was wrong.  And we eventually came to the realisation that my father in law could only control us if we LET him.  So in fact, we had the control all along.  I don’t think he means to be controlling (at least I hope not).

Anyway, I’m digressing from my point here.  My point was, I didn’t want to listen to this mornings preacher.  I’m still mad at him.  I find his sermons boring or over my head or confusing or all of the above.

I was in desperate need of an attitude check.

Because none of us are perfect.  I have this saying that God works “in spite of me not because of me”.  And it’s true.  If it were left to me, we’d be in a right mess.

It occurred to me this morning that for all this guys faults, God can (and I guess does) use him.  He works in spite of him not because of him.  The same God that forgives me my shortcomings, forgives him his.

So maybe I’m in need of a change of heart.

To be honest, the sermon wasn’t all that bad this morning.  Oh, I missed bits - because I always do (and now I have no kids to blame - they’re all at Sunday School during the sermon).  But I actually took something away from the sermon (which doesn’t always happen).

I guess I’m glad that God aint finished with me yet!

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