Living in the Spirit
November 29, 2018
Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith. –1 Thessalonians 3:9-10
So, for whom are we thankful particularly related to our journeys of faith? It is a tough assignment like writing our own book of Hebrews.
It is no surprise I became a Christian. In my genealogical search, I have found no great people whose names you would readily recognize, but the vast majority on both sides of my family were Christ followers. William Knott in 1824 served as a trustee in developing a new Methodist church in Pennsylvania. His son John William in 1836, having migrated to Illinois, hosted the first meeting of a Christian group in their settlement in his home. In the spring I visited the grave of my 13th great grandfather, John Phillips in London, England where he was active in his church.
My immediate family also brought grace to my life. My mother was a deaconess in the Methodist church from whom I inherited strong genes of doing justice. My dad gave me the love of music. Together they provided me with a brother and sister who are second to none both active in their churches and their children continue the tradition.
What about all those wonderful Sunday school teachers? Mrs. George is the first one I remember. I assume she had a first name but I never new it. She was originally from Georgia and had the silkiest beautiful accent that no one could copy. She taught us using flannel figures and served us cookies and Kool-Aid. Phyllis Acuff was a mentor in my teenage years. Drove me to Enid to visit Phillips University where I eventually attended.
I had some great pastors too. Dr. Keller was a history professor at Phillips, but he also was a pastor. I did not know he was a history teacher, when I walked up to him after church and asked, “Do you know where the Declaration of Independence was signed?” He said, “I believe in Philadelphia.” I said, “No it was signed at the bottom of the page.” He laughed deeply and patted my head. The next week he brought me a copy of the Declaration of Independence.
These were great people in my life but just people like you and like me who took the time to share God’s love and encourage a little girl, a teenager to become the person God created her to be. It is a mission to which we are all called as followers of Christ.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for my mentors in faith who opened doors of opportunities for me on my faith Journey.