Friends Friday: A Beautiful Life

When Junior was a very young girl, she begged us not to make her go to church.  Of course, we did – every Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night.  We took her to VBS and every special event for kids.  She quietly sat through each activity, sometimes with friends and sometimes alone.  And it was especially during those alone times we counted on adults to make church a positive place for our child.  That didn’t always happen.

Then second grade started and Junior got to join a Sunday school class taught by Mr. L.  He was in his late 70’s that year and was beloved.  Junior couldn't wait to get to church. Our family would arrive, streaming down the hallway one at a time, dragging bibles, diaper bags, and lots of other stuff.  And there would be Mr. L., waiting in the doorway of his classroom, calling, “There’s one of my kids!  Hi, Junior!!  Come in and get some donuts!”   Every time a child in his class celebrated a birthday (and that seemed to be every week), Mr. L. brought in donuts and pop.  Junior waited all year to celebrate her birthday in Sunday school, and Mr. L. didn’t let her down.

He never needed an assistant.  He never needed props.  No modern music ever pounded out of his room.   And he never missed a Sunday.  He was a beautiful, consistent, optimistic man who loved the Lord.  He was respected by adults and cherished by children.

We are celebrating Mr. L's move to Heaven this week.  Thank-you, Lord, for the blessing of knowing him in this life.