| Begin or End each week with a Meaningful Inspiration. |
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A by Tim Knappenberger |
Mentor. We hear that word
used a lot today. Underlings new to their professions and
careers are needful to be taught what others older and
wiser have learned. Mentors teach. They guide, inspire
and nurture. A recent Seinfeld
episode even poked fun at mentors and their protégés.
Young Christians need mentors. The Promise
Keepers movement encourages every
young Christian "Timothy" to find their
"Barnabus." During my young adult years, I had
the benefit of contact with older, Christian men who
related to me in mentoring ways. My father-in-law was
(and still remains) one of those men. Another is Bill
Gould. Bill is a Christian who exudes wisdom. Although
being well educated, an Annapolis graduate, and a retired
international business executive, Bill carries himself in
humble, self-depreciating ways. He's a man of few words,
always is looking for reasons to laugh, more concerned
about what you think than about his own opinion, and he's
loving; adoring his wife, "Rhett" (Loretta),
his 3 adult children and 6 grandchildren. Years ago when Bill and I had regular contact with each other, he served as a role model of what a Christian husband and father should be. He gave a "flesh and blood" picture this young man needed at that time. As the years have rolled on, Bill and I have come to worship in separate churches. Though we might now only see each other once every year or so at someone's wedding or funeral, it amazes me how we can pick up exactly where we left off. No awkwardness, no strain. When we sit down to catch up on our walks of faith or our families, it's like slipping on a comfortable pair of well-worn slippers. Bill teaches and I learn. I offer all of this as background in order to share with you my most recent learning encounter with Bill. Here is the communion prayer Bill offered at the Lord's table on Sunday, March 2nd, 1997 in his capacity as elder at his church: Holy Father How could we comprehend that
which is holy, By His Communion He admonishes us
to remember Him, We who commune with the Lord this
day shall renew our strength, Amen Less than 24 hours after offering up this prayer, Bill Gould died. At age 66 with no known health problems and with no warning, Bill was suddenly called from the "limited horizons" of this life to limitless ones of the next. So, what was his last lesson to me? Just as Bill taught me how a person of faith was to live, he taught me how one was to die. Bill's last day on earth was spent worshipping his Lord and caring for his family. Given life's uncertainties, Bill taught me that everyday should be lived as my last. In so doing, he emulated that the elements of love, praise, prayer and worship should fill all of our "last days." Bill taught me in life and in death. Some day, I'm anticipating picking up again, right where we left off and learning from Bill. Until then . . . thank you Bill and may God Bless. "Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. (Psalms 39:4) |
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Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalms 90:12) |
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Please drop Tim a line at knapp@raex.com |
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