Little Miss Preacher or Big Matron Preacher?

Am I Little Miss Chatterbox? Probably not. I rather like silence. On the other hand I do like to be heard.


Stuck with preparing a sermon on a challenging theme, I took a coffee break and browsed some blogs I follow. A post this morning by Richard Littledale grabbed my attention, Mr Preacher (Which one are you?) Richard writes how
"There are occasions when we preach where we feel gifted and equipped for the job. On others, however, we feel acutely aware of our own shortcomings and wonder whether we are up to the task."
He then refers to the Mr Men books by Richard Hargreaves and how on different occasions as a preacher he identifies with various Mr Men characters, including Mr Small,
"feeling overwhelmed with the task in hand and hoping to hide behind the pulpit, the Bible or something."
Richard Littledale asks, "which one are you?"


Here's my first thoughts answer. I don't identify with any Mr Men (I'm a woman), but could have a shot at some of the "Little Miss" companion series. Even that's difficult. I'm not 'little' (not in girth anyway) and I'm not a 'miss'.


Part of me is "Little Miss Shy" but she doesn't want to tell you anything about that - she's hiding - but hiding in a pulpit is not an option - not physically anyway. Part of me is "Little Miss Perfect" which is why sermon preparation can be such agony. Part of me is "Little Miss Helpful" who wants to help but often gets it wrong. Part of me is "Little Miss Sunshine" but can't help seeing the other side of the positive. Part of me is "Little Miss Giggle" who has perfected the art of keeping a straight face at the most solemn moments of liturgy which is usually when the most ridiculous things happen. Last week I was "Little Miss Whoops" because I forgot to lift the skirt of my cassock as I climbed the steps and almost fell into the pulpit.


Next Sunday I would like to be...or perhaps not? Richard Littledale suggests that for a preacher it's really only "Mr God" that matters. I take issue with that as God has no gender. But I do agree it's what God does (in spite of what I might or might not say) that matters. If only I could learn to get out God's way sometimes.




Comments

  1. Richard Littledale17 September 2010 at 12:34

    Nancy

    You are absolutely right to make this point about a gender-less God. Perhaps I have been Mr Clumsy (again).

    The other profound point you make, though is that God uses us despite our failings and peculiarities. On that score I like to think I have given Him more than his fair share to deal with!
    Richard

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  2. Red17 September 2010 at 13:47

    and as someone reminded me yesterday, he doesnt call the equipped he equips the called. So I am sure he will equip you for this tricky sermon.
    red (little miss loud)

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  3. Nancy Wallace17 September 2010 at 17:56

    Thanks Richard and Red for your comments. the other point I could have made about your "Mr God" Richard is that if we are to use any title when referring to God, then Mr, Mrs or Miss seems a little less than adequate. Thanks for reminding me Red that God equips the called - I think the problem is we don't always feel that and don't like to think that our "failings and peculiarities" could be part of the equipment! Many people have been encouraged by St Peter's failings and impulsive clumsiness (Mr Clumsy?)

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  4. Anonymous22 September 2010 at 00:39

    Amen! When all is said and done "Mr. God" is all that will matter. :-)

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  5. Nancy Wallace22 September 2010 at 10:02

    Thanks so much for your encouragement Ron (The Old Geezer). As it happens it does seem that God made some use of the sermon I was worried about. Praise God.

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