‘A Weekend of Heroes’

4/4/2017

I Was Thinking…

This past weekend was a weekend of ‘heroes’ for me. Who is your hero? I have several. My dad is my hero. He is 84 on his way to 85 and stays as active as the ‘Ever-Ready Bunny’. My mom is my hero. I’ll not tell her age lest I am required to have soap in the mouth (that’s what she did when we say ‘bad words’ as children…There was a period in my childhood when I had the cleanest mouth in town…Ivory soap is the worst). I’m blessed with many heroes.

This past weekend I presided over the ‘Memorial Service’ for the Pastor under which I began my ministry as a ‘Youth Director’. Archie Hayes and the West Rome United Methodist Church mentored me as a nineteen year old College Student exploring his call to ministry. What a privilege some 42 years later to be asked by his bride of almost 60 years, Mary Ann, to celebrate his life as we worshiped the God Archie so faithfully served. I learned from Archie “Be who you are. Don’t try to be someone you are not.” I learned commitment and dedication. I learned a love for the church that surpasses her faults and her failings. I learned to be joyful in all circumstances because “the joy of the Lord is my strength”. He was my hero.

This past weekend my 54 year old sister-in-law, Jeanne, who has Down syndrome, was placed in ICU with pneumonia. Jeanne has severe hearing loss so her two sisters (one being my bride) have had to be present to help the communication process between Jeanne and her nurses/doctors. Jeanne is an extraordinarily loving individual. She lives her love for people even in her pain. Nurses and doctors come in to check her vitals or adjust an IV or anything…and Jeanne reaches out grabs their hand and kisses that hand with a smile. Jeanne has caused me to ask myself “What if everyone in the world reached out for a hand from others and simply kissed it with a smile?” I’m convinced it would be a better world. Unconditional love from a special sister-in-love…she’s my hero.

How was your weekend? Many of the full-time Appointments for 2017/2018 were announced on Sunday. A few yet to be announced due to work still being done by the cabinet. Part-time appointments will be on the conference website soon. Each appointment is equally important and vital to the cause of Christ in the world.

With each appointment for the clergy and the church I venture to guess that there are heroes to be celebrated. They are everywhere and they yield influence in ways that we often take for granted. Give your heroes a phone call this week or drop them a note and let them know how grateful you are for their influence. You’ll be glad you did.

Always Thinking…