I just found out this afternoon that I lost a very precious friend- she was actually a lot more like a Grandma to me. I will never forget the Sunday afternoons I spent napping on the pews at Lakeview C. H. Church in Cedar Bluff, Alabama. I was only a teenage boy when I accepted the call into ministry, and the pastor of this small country church wasted no time inviting me to preach in his pulpit. Little did I know, the next couple of years would produce some of my most treasured memories as I returned to minister in dozens of services to aid my new found pastor friend as his weary body often forced him to step aside and allow a youngster such as me to preach in his place. I remember one Sunday in particular. It was a cold wintery day and a biting wind blew across nearby Weiss Lake with such a force that Im sure even a snowman would have preferred warmer conditions. As was the custom at Lakeview, everyone who attended the morning service stayed for lunch in the fellowship hall which sat almost directly behind the church. Although I had become a very familiar face to all the folks at Lakeview, I was always treated with the respect of an honored guest! Normally, the pastor or his wife would usher me to the front of the line as they hushed everyone long enough for me to say grace over the food. After lunch, I headed back to the church where I would kick off my shoes, take a short nap, and then prepare for the evening service. The gas heaters mounted to the wall on either side of the sanctuary provided a very welcome relief from the cold outside. My stomach was happily full, and I stretched my lean body out on my favorite pew. Im not sure how long I slept, but I must have been a bit more tired than usual for I skipped the dozing stage and fell into a deep sleep. Suddenly, I was awakened by a familiar voice as the pastors wife called from the rear door of the church. Brother Brian- why dont you get up and come eat some rice pudding? It sounded like more of a command than a suggestion. So, I reluctantly rubbed my eyes as I sat upright wondering how rice pudding could be more important than sleep. I returned my shoes to their rightful place on my feet and wearily trudged outside into the cold so I wouldnt offend this dear lady who clearly understood a teenage boys need for rice pudding. I scooped up an ample portion of the homemade dessert and sat in one of those cold metal folding chairs which is common to most county church fellowship halls. I numbly chewed on a spoonful of pudding as I secretly wished I could return to my comfy little spot near that gas heater. Looking back, I would gladly trade a heater, a nap- actually I would trade a great number of things to simply spend a little more time sitting in that fellowship hall just to talk to Sister Carl Dean Saxon. I owe so much to her and Brother Billy! They unofficially became adopted grandparents to me, and I will never forget the investments of time and encouragement they deposited into my life! I have often thought that those Sunday afternoons were more valuable than any amount of education or formal training. I learned from the Saxons how to love people- how to be strong in the face of adversity- how to persevere through difficult times. For these and many other things I will always be thankful!! Sister Saxon I love you and will miss you very much- somehow North Alabama will never be the same!! My great cloud of witnesses just added a great member, and I know you will be cheering me on!! If you Jesus will allow you, can you make me some rice pudding to go with the Marriage Supper of the Lamb? - Bro. Brian
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 04:03:53 +0000
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