What Ministry Should Be

Sometimes my ministry veers off track to organizing people, hoping for a good turn out, maybe a little stressful trying to make more people happy. I felt refreshed to read this essay from my student named Jo describing her grandmother, a unique person in her family.

I have never seen a person more smart than my grandmother in my life. Although she even never went to primary school, she is almost a goddess on the land who can solve all the problems of her neighbors. Every afternoon, I can always see “someone” in her house. They usually come with deep wrinkles between their eyebrows, and they are easily bursting into tears while they are speaking. My grandmother seldom breaks in and only looks at their eyes sincerely. Then instead of giving suggestions from “the old,” she will end up their meeting with a pray. However, the ones who come with sorrow and worry always go back home at a brisk pace. I was so surprised at her “super-power of comfort,” so I poured all my questions. She smiled and said, “Actually I did nothing. What I do are only two things. First, prepare a hot tea and a hankerchief before the meeting. Second, listening. Then I will tell all the things what I heard from people to the Almighty. He will do something for his people.” My grandmother is a devout Christian who devoted all her life to help others, and in turn, she gains respects from others. From her great deed, I know it’s bad to give advice to other at random. Usually listening is more important than suggestion. Now, I become a good listener of my friends.

Listening and “telling all the things what I heard from people to the Almighty” who loves us. This is what ministry should be.