Sand Mountain Sermonette 50
2 Timothy 1:5
“For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, from which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.” 2 Timothy 1:5
Several years ago, I attended a leadership training workshop for clergy and I was given an assignment along with the other attendees; one which transformed my life in a powerful way. The assignment was to find a private place, sit down with the Lord, and create a list of things which were special to your heart and life when you were growing up and then, write a little life-event story entitled, “Where I’m From.”
Here are just a few of the things I listed in preparation for what I was to write: a little gray suitcase filled with magic tricks (the suitcase having been purchased for me at the dime store by my grandmother Mabrey), the musty basement below my grandfather Mabrey’s house, (where once I hit my right thumb while hammering a nail into a board to which my Papaw Mabrey responded as he chuckled, “Louie, I’ll go get my left-handed hammer for you.”), homemade vegetable soup and cornbread (my mother’s mom, Mamaw Iris, would often bring me), Cream of Wheat, scrambled eggs, and Redeye gravy (my Mamaw Mabrey would often fix for breakfast when I stayed at her house), Skeeter and Jeanine (my loving parents), Billy Ray Cash (my first preacher), and homemade snow ice cream eaten on Sand Mountain.
And my story (in briefer fashion): “I’m from homemade vegetable soup served in mason jars and fresh cheeseburgers from Linn’s 5 & 10. I’m from grandmother’s little gray suitcase filled with magic tricks…”fly flaps”…and a left-handed hammer. I’m from papa’s (Mabrey’s) love for the man with diabetic feet, homemade snow ice cream, and Billy Ray Cash the preacher. I am from Skeeter and Jeanine’s tree. I’m from looking at others in the eye when you pass them on the sidewalk. I’m from a taste of the Old South that’s good, rich, timeless, and today; the bridge linking who I was with who I am—someone Christ loves and called.
Read today’s Scripture several times. Timothy’s grandmother and mother not only provided for Timothy’s needs when he was growing up, they were about the most important thing in life; what one has referred to as “letting someone’s faith be the frosting in the life of another.” I realize you may have had a difficult upbringing, but know that God has, or will, place those individuals in your life whose purpose is to lead you to Him by “frosting” you with their love and encouragement for you, through the Holy Spirit. Yes! I can assure you that a little dime store suitcase and homemade vegetable soup bear the imprints of the cross and the empty tomb! Where are you from? Who has God been using to show you Himself?
Pastor Louie