What you learn from them will crown you
with grace and be a chain of honor
around your neck.
The
people you might expect to appear on this list aren’t the ones that I intend to
mention. Yet I’ve been blessed to know
some incredible people who have blessed my life: my youth pastor Phil Dietz,
Pastors James Merritt or W.A. Criswell, professors LeRoy Metts or Robert
Brewer, missionaries Roger Reeck or Gary Frazier, mentors and giants of the
faith Sumner Wemp or Michael Guido.
Those and others have influenced me in the past.
But
there are some other people that I might have mentioned before who have made a
difference in my life. You may know one
or more of these people because you know me or have been part of my life, or
you might not know any of them. Yet they
did something that left a mark on my life.
Libby
was my first babysitter, and she made this awesome chocolate cake that I still
remember today. She also taught my class
at church. I can remember sitting in her
lap at her house when I was very young and talking about Jesus. She continued to pour into my life and to
love my kids until she passed away a few years ago.
Ted was
my next-door neighbor with I was 9 or so.
He could do anything, or so I thought.
He never talked down to me or told me to leave. He spent time with the little kid that was
always asking questions and even took me to get ice cream when something cool happened
in our lives.
Harry
attended the church I was part of when I was 11 or 12. I remember searching for him each Sunday to
give him a hug. It wasn’t until a few
years later that he shared how that made a difference in his life. Harry T is now one of the people that prays
for me every week. This man reminds me
that small things are important, and we must begin with prayer.
Trisha
was my 3rd grade teacher better known as Mrs. Elliott. She is my friend to this day, but way back
then this lady wouldn’t let me settle for mediocre. She pushed, encouraged and taught me to reach
higher and to stretch my mind and my heart.
I’ve told her many times the difference she has made, but I honestly
don’t think I’d be who I am without Mrs. Elliott.
Pastor
Jerry was in his 70’s or 80’s when I met him.
He gave me the opportunity to preach a revival at the church he was
pastor of, 11st Street Baptist in Tulsa, when I was in high school. He also gave me some of the first books that
started my library. This older saint sat
with me, spoke to me and listened to me when few others had time for a young
preacher boy.
Cornelia
rented me a room in my early years of college.
She was well into her 80’s and a giant in the faith known by the people
of her church. This lady prayed for me
and believed me when I thought that I could get along well by myself. Her love has always stuck with me.
John
wasn’t a member of the church when I became the pastor, but he and his wife joined
shortly after I arrived. He was often
the voice of reason and even the voice of challenge. His faith and spiritual wisdom kept me from
trouble many times. His voice was
something that I longed to hear as I was down, discouraged or searching. At times we didn’t agree, but he changed my
life. He could read people like few
others.
There
are many more people that I could tell you about: my 8th grade Bible
teacher, my dad and mom, one of the pastors I worked for in Georgia, my wife
and others.
What I
have learned from these people and others is that we can make a difference by
doing small things. Stop to pray with
someone when it is needed. Listen to
someone when they need to share. Give a
hug or walk with a person in a tough situation.
Who is it in your life today that needs a few minutes of your time and a
small piece of your heart?
With this news, strengthen those who
have tired hands, and encourage
those who have weak knees.
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