Jewells of Thought

Friday I found myself in the same exact seat from last week. Same venue, a Retired Preacher, but there were some key differences. I have heard Reverend Dwight Preach and even remember nearly 20 years ago when he first came to the church as a Preacher.

One of the earliest memories I have is knowing he was a Baptist. Most of my life I have been a Baptist it’s why I went to Oakland City University, a Baptist institution. So I liked that about him, but knew that made it interesting for him and the congregation of a Methodist Church. Yet today and throughout the last few years I have witnessed the love his congregation has had for him.

Nearly 3 years ago when I began a new chapter sitting with Grandma at church I was very timid. Music has always been my Church ministry, singing and playing specials. I have played the piano at various times, but I am not like my Mom or Uncle Tony who played for church on a regular basis. It takes me a lot of extra practice to be as they were but they both had experience as younger kids or teenagers when they began. Not everyone has the talents of their parents or elders and sometimes others misjudge the difference in talent within a family.

I’m not certain when I did my first solo maybe about a month after Mother’s Day. It took me and Brenda one hour of one day to practice the song and we thought we were ready for Sunday only 2 days away. At this point in my life it had been a couple of years since I did a solo and even longer since I tried to play piano for myself. Yet on that Sunday I had prayed enough and I felt confident about this song. Dwight’s reaction once he got to the pulpit after I was finished was also encouragement, the boost I needed to continue those solos. Over the years I have wanted to do this song but just didn’t attempt this one even though it’s a favorite Gaither Quartet song of mine.

During the last year he asked me if I was still singing. I think that song really struck a chord for him like it did for me. I didn’t know him as well as Grandma and the others in the congregation, but those few moments I got were sweet.

Also today to start off the funeral was the Veteran’s making their last go around at the front. I remember Papaw Freddy doing that. Today though, I saw my uncle Jim dressed up in line to honor Dwight the Veteran. This was where I lost it, not as bad as last week though, when I heard my neighbors granddaughter talk about him, but I did cry. Then the last two Veterans from Post 22 went through the flag protocol. This was another hard time to not have a Kleenex on me, moment. Yet I came in without my purse, because I helped Dad bring Grandma and her walker in. For some reason I thought I wouldn’t cry this time… I was so wrong.

The blessing in the past two weeks is that these men made decisions in their life at the right time. We know where they are and that they wouldn’t wish to be back here in any split second decision. They are where they taught and preached about and they personally chose to meet their Savior well before the last minute.