Yesterday, I received a bitter email and a string of unsettling text messages from someone. Now, I say someone because I honestly do not know who sent them. The email header identified a first name, but when that person was asked about it, they denied sending it. I believe her, and I am grateful for her grace and forgiveness after being wrongly accused.

From the email, “Suggestions”:

This is a carrot pastor. Carrot heads can’t preach. If they become a pastor… people leave. Maybe you should leave before you turn people away from God. In the Bible it says in Matthew 25:41 that if you cause someone to turn away from God… you will carry the chains of Enteral Life in the fires of Hell. The verse: Jesus said “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels”

And then across twenty minutes, right after the email was sent, someone texted me:

Check ur email
It’s nothing bad
You have nothing to do
It’s Jesus texting
I red you to repent and be sincere
Need
You have till I come back to repent and until you die to repent and turn to Jesus or it’s going to be no no good for you
There are pastors near you that would love to do confession and absolution
It’s not that hard to be sincere with your apologies
Maybe this will move you to repent
2 Corinthians 5:18 say 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation
Romans 5:15 says For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?
Nobody like a pastor that makes church angry. For some people that’s one of the many reasons why they moved to Maryland
I hope that the Holy Spirit works in your heart
Have a good day

They also included a flattering picture:

And yes, I know that this particular alb would make a Puritan blush.

The truth is that I do not know who wrote these messages. But I know this: people rarely send messages like these when everything is well. Hurt often finds unhealthy ways to express itself. Whatever led someone to write these words, I pray God’s peace would meet them in the middle of it.

And let me be clear: please do not turn this into a search for the culprit. I am not interested in a witch hunt, and I certainly do not want anyone accused because of assumptions or rumors. If I wanted to identify the sender, there are ways to pursue that. That is not my goal.

Instead, let this be a reminder that there are often people around us carrying hurts we cannot see. If this post reminds you of someone who is struggling with anger, disappointment, grief, or bitterness, check in on them. Speak God’s love into their life. Sometimes a listening ear and a reminder of God’s grace can make all the difference.

And if the person who sent these messages happens to read this, know that my door is open. I would gladly sit down with you, listen to your concerns, pray with you, and talk face-to-face. We may not agree on everything, but I believe Jesus does some of his best work when people are willing to meet one another with honesty, humility, and grace.

And during this Pastor Appreciation Month, please pray for your pastor.
You never know which vegetable he might be compared to next.

Cover photo by Armando Arauz on Unsplash