unlikelyclay.com

I’m preaching a revival - renamed a Simplicity Conference - at my home church, New Hope Baptist Church, in Wauchula, Florida.  These are some of the best people in the world.  When I was a child they taught the stories of the Bible, fed me kool aid and sugar cookies, and loved me.  It was one of the greatest gifts a child could receive.  The good people of New Hope taught me the value of belonging, and taught me to love church.  That’s why from my earliest memory, the call to be pastor sprouted and bloomed.  The people of New Hope had already plowed the field.

Some familiar faces are gone.  Others have aged.  I saw my first girlfriend - from first grade.  Her oldest child is engaged now.  I ran into a girl I dated in High School - she has five grand children.  My Aunt Ouida, 93, blind but strong, made both services.  I want to be like her when I grow up.

Alzheimer’s and age are slowly robbing some others of the memories.  I can see it in their eyes - I look familiar - but they can’t quite make the connectons.  But I still owe them the debt of gratitude - and recognition.

My home church is hopeful these days.  They have a new pastor, who seems to have a lot on the ball.  I’m asking God simply to help me honor these people who nurtured me, and let me be a little gasoline for their future

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 8th, 2008 at 3:11 pm and is filed under Observations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.