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Andrew Florio, our pastor in nomination, and I spent over an hour talking about what a great and blessed church is here at Providence. I listened to Drew’s excitement about life in general and ministry in particular. My mind turned back to a time when at the same age as Drew is now, I accepted a call to a church much like Providence. What an astonishing range of emotions – full of myself and at the same time, humbled – excited and scared witless – prepared and uncertain.
There was on the Session of that church an ornery old elder who, as a veteran of World War I, had seen too much pain and bloodshed to be casually agreeable about anything. In short, he drove me crazy.
When this elder became ill with lung cancer, he became a patient at the Veteran’s Hospital in Augusta, Georgia. It was a long way to Augusta and on the drive down, I thought a lot about this man and how I did not seem to understand him at all.
As soon as I entered his hospital room, he said, “Let’s pray, boy.” With that he got on his knees beside his bed and motioned for me to join him – me with sore knees even back then, he with hospital gown completely open down the back.
Then he prayed, “Lord, I got a young preacher here, and he don’t know much – but, he’s a good boy and I want you to help him all you can.” Then he began to sing with a clear voice, “Just when I need him, Jesus is near…” While he sang, I wept.
I suddenly realized how much this old coot loved me, loved his church, and loved his Lord. I traveled to pray for him, but instead he prayed for me. Afterwards, I was a changed person. And, over the years I have never forgotten the impact of hearing this old elder pray for his young pastor.
Dr. L. Jackson Taylor |
