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A Question of Guilt
MY FAREWELL TO HONEY CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH
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It seems like yesterday . . .
In July of 1988, the Pulpit Committee here at Honey Creek took a chance and called on a 24 year old college student who had never pastored a church before. I was two years out of the Navy, halfway through a history degree, married but with no kids yet, struggling financially, and still pretty skinny.
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There have been so many good times at Honey Creek. I will never forget the day we had over 50 in Sunday School and I had to eat dinner on the roof, or the trip to Mathews Retreat when we had 25 youth and only two sponsors! Or that Sunday when we baptized 8 youth on the same day, or the February afternoon Joel Thornton and Mike Noble threw me off the dock into Howard and Rebecca's pond to get even for my forgetting to turn on the hot water heater in the baptistry for Mike's baptism.
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"I'm so glad we had this time together . . ."
Fourteen years, nineteen weddings, twenty-one funerals, around 80 baptisms, and two beautiful twin daughters later, my time at Honey Creek is drawing to a close. The reality of this move is still sinking in, even as I sit here with half my furniture moved, all my books boxed up, and my household in an even greater state of chaos than normal.
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As fun as those moments were, my real pride in my time at Honey Creek is the fellowship and learning that took place while I was there. We held revivals and Bible Schools every year, led people to the Lord, brought backslidden Christians back into fellowship, comforted each other in time of tragedy, and rejoiced in times of celebration. The good people at Honey Creek have made these last 14 years the best of my life. I came here hardly more than a boy and leave as a (nearly) middle aged man, but through it all my friends here have stuck by me.
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"Seems we just get started and before we know it . . ."
Where did the time go? It seems like yesterday that Ronald Reagan was president and my biggest worry was passing Dr. Rudoff's history exams. Now my girls are going into second grade and I've been out of college with a master's degree for nine years. But as I sit amid the boxes and reflect, I think just how wonderful this fourteen year tenure has been. |
I'd like to close with some personal notes. First of all, to my former members who have moved on -
B.J. and Gail Martin, for hospitality, fellowship, and the best chocolate cake in the universe.
Pat and Lisa Chandler, for good times and that great trip to Florida.
Randy and Cameesa Gore, for such good gospel music.
Gatha Murphy, for all the inspirational E-mails and long talks.
Thanks so much to you all!
To all our youth - Janis, Cheena, Joel, Mike, Rheanna, Daniel, Heather, David, Nick, Jay, Bradley, Dwayne, James, Jeff, Jason, Ashley, and Jennifer, and all the others - who have grown up here and moved on into the adult world - it was fun to watch you grow up.
To those who are still here, whom it hurts so much to leave -
Howard (grillmaster & treasurer extraordinaire) and Rebecca (world's greatest Sunday School teacher), the first family to join after I came - for all the good dinners, hospitality, Star Trek episodes, and Cowboys games on that great big screen, a thousand thanks.
Troy and Gladys, for your wisdom, advice, and friendship that has proven beyond price.
Kenneth and Mary Thornton - for keeping the books, leading the music, hosting all those Christmas parties, spraying for termites, and helping out so many times. You are irreplaceable!
Alan and Melissa - it was a joy to "tie the knot" for you two, and I'm glad it has stayed tight!
Anne Wasson - for all your help and counsel, and those good cookies.
Mattie Lou Gaskill - you are a joy to my heart. Your 95 years of wisdom and experience make you a joy to visit with.
Sherry Valentine - we came through some tough times together, but you are a dear friend and I treasure the fellowship we've shared.
Vernon and Kathleen - your help with visitation and Bible school and your hospitality are a very fond memory.
Lynne and Bobby Graham - for the friendship, hospitality, and for letting me win at "Trivial Pursuit" - I'll miss you both!
Brian and Theresa - for the last four years, y'all have been my right hand! For all the cookouts, Bible Schools, visitations, softball games, and trips, you have been so faithful. There are just not enough words to say thanks!
Then, to those no longer with us - our church's prayer warriors who have reported back to Headquarters - Mrs. Evie Morgan, Mrs. Luttrell, Mary West, Euta Lee Morris, Charles Wasson, and all the other dear saints I've helped lay to rest. Thank you for your service and your prayers.
How to conclude? One of my favorite songs by Don Francisco comes to mind:
"There are no words to tell you how I love you,
There are no words to even make a start.
There are no words worthy of your sacrifice -
there are no words, so Lord, please take my heart."
May the peace that passes all understanding and the joy of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
What a ride it's been!
Farewell.
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