"Punk'd: Preacher's Wife Edition"

Disclaimer: We do not watch MTV or the practical joke program, “Punk’d”, that airs on the network. However, I believe since I have a house full of children who are told about these shows by others, I should be responsibly relevant in knowing “what’s out there”. Besides that, the title just sounded way cuter than, “One Of Our Deacons Played The Cruelest Joke EVER On My Family Sunday Night And I Fell For It Hook, Line, and Sinker.”

Just a couple of weeks ago, our church watched the film “Facing the Giants” during our Sunday evening service. If you have seen the movie, you know that the coach of the football team drives a wreck of a car that is constantly in need of repair. In the latter part of the film as God is beginning to perform wonders in the man’s life, someone takes the coach’s old car and replaces it with a new shiny red Ford F150 truck.

Many parallels were drawn between this man and my husband, Luke, over their vehicles. Luke drives a Chevrolet truck the color of a robin’s egg that has had the misfortune of nesting beside a nuclear plant. It is a radiating blue that commands the attention of anyone who happens to be within a fairly wide radius. We have lovingly nicknamed it, “The Blue Goose.” Luke joked with the congregation after the film that no one had better come and get “Goose” and replace it with a new truck because he would be "oh so upset” to lose it. There were many a hearty laugh and everyone parted ways.

One of our deacons is a car salesman. Last Sunday night after the service, he called the attention of the congregation and told them how much he loved his pastor. He then, with much ceremony, produced a bill of sale stating Luke was the proud owner of a new Ford F150 truck. I could hear the gasps of people around me, applause began to erupt, and I burst into a thousand tears. The racing thoughts of my mind were something like, “I can not believe this. Oh Lord, thank you. No one deserves this like my Luke! *snot wipe* I should email the church who made this film and tell them how it inspired someone to do such a wonderful thing for my darling husband.” And please make sure you realize that all eyes were on me because everyone wants to see how you 'act' when someone blesses you like that. Extreme Home Makeover had nothing on this bawling, squawling wreck.

Then, this stinker of a man brought out a TOY truck - a shiny new ’07 Ford F150. Oh no, I’m not kidding. He laughed and laughed because everyone in the church fell for it. Luke promised he thought it was a joke the whole time but I was totally Punk’d. It was an evil little prank and I told that deacon so! (With the sweetest of hugs and a smile on my face I might add. We preacher’s wives must always remain gracious. Grrrrr.)

Would you like to know what I prayed after that little shenanigan? “God, I totally looked like an idiot in there. The only way I can recover is if you give me a little application here.” He did. Here it goes.

“But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no. For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us was not yes and no, but is yes in Him. For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.”
2 Corinthians 1:18-22 NASB

The opponents of the apostle Paul were constantly trying to discredit him among Christians. “This man will make a fool of you! Look at him, he says he is coming to see you but now he isn’t. Can you trust anything he says?” How often do we guard our hearts in relationships, both with Christ and others, because we are afraid of being ‘had’? This attitude results in withdrawal, self-reliance, distrust, and pride. It also makes for a very lonely existence.

Unbelievers will say, “I don’t want to live by a list of do’s and don’ts”. We can be certain God’s ‘yes’ and ‘no’ is never arbitrary. Every single time He allows either answer into our lives it is to direct us ever closer to the promise of full redemption that is always “yes” in Him. Girls, we are safe in the arms of God. There is but one end for which we are sealed and it has no unexpected twist.

In my walk of faith I have learned many things but perhaps one truth increases my faith more than any other: I may become a fool for Christ, but He will never make one of me. (2 Cor. 5:13)

Now, if He can just do something about that deacon :))



UPDATE: For fear I sound bitter, I must clarify I adore this man and know he wouldn't have hurt mine and Luke's feelings for anything in the world...I fully intended for you to laugh with us! :))