Faith-Shaped Lives
“Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
Recently, my great aunt, who is 103, shared a poem with me, written by one of her brothers about their tiny country church where their family grew up.
After reading this, I couldn’t help but realize the profound impact of so many lives upon mine. I’ve always thought of my grandma as a saint. Reserved, hard-working and deeply intelligent, my grandmother was quietly faithful, her Bible always near. It’s true what is said, “actions speak louder than words.” My grandma lived her faith.
I’ve also always considered my great aunt as one of my heroes. Loving and kind, always pouring into others, she even even left a job she loved to serve her country as a nurse in the Army when that was uncommon for women to do.
Now, through this poem, written by Grandma and Aunt Neva‘s brother, Myron, I see the faith that was modeled to me extended further than I knew. It enveloped a family. It shaped their existence. It is no accident it has shaped mine as well.
Prayer: Dear God, please guide my footsteps, mouth and heart, as I see to continue extending my family’s faith tradition to my own children. Amen.
Sandy Cameron
Here is the poem my great aunt shared with me:
Modest Worship
Tho' it's just a country chapel
without modern
structural frills
I'm sure God looks
with favor
on the task that it
fulfills.
No, the structure
isn't fancy
but it serves its
purpose well
and it takes me back
to childhood
with each ringing of
the bell.
I recall in early
evening
how its mellow tone
would tell
everyone when time
to worship
with a temporary
spell.
And it has that same
attraction
after many years
have passed.
And the people just
as friendly
as when I attended
last.
As I turn and gaze about me
at the faces plain
but proud
there are some that
I find missing
from the old
time-tested crowd.
Yet when I visit in
the churchyard
and on the simple
marble slabs
are the names of
those that's missing
and my finding makes
me sad.
They have earned
their long vacation
from this world of
endless strife
yet this living
generation can but
praise their useful
life.
And as they wait for
judgment
there is still no
grand display.
But I'm sure God
will forgive them
for their modest
sort of way.
Written by Myron C. Benson about Boblett Church
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