I'll take the old saint's faith any day.
I lost my parents, one at 18 and one when I was 23. I relied
upon older, more experienced people, both in and out of the faith that had been
there and done that. By the time I was 23, I had already had one relationship that exploded on
me with the other person leaving for greener pastures. I did have an older brother that stood in for
my father figure; He was approximately 15 years older than I, who my father adopted
as it was from my mom's previous situation.
Jimmy Lewis Crawford introduced me to living for Christ;
however, it took years for me to get to that place in my life where I was receptive.
He had a lady that introduced him to Baptism in Jesus' name and holiness, sister
Mary Willis. The being was friends with my mom and dad. She was effectively my
aunt. What stood out with my brother was that he was one of the last people to
suffer from the polio epidemic of the later 50s and early 60s. I saw him suffer
for the remainder of his life, but his faith never wavered, and he was very patient
with me for decades. It should also be noted that it always came through for
him when he prayed for something in earnest. It always came through.
Joining the military
in 1981, I would come home and stay with sister Willis. She had a particular
way of encouraging good behavior on my part. At a specific time when I was on
leave in the United States. She saw me getting dressed to go out with the
fellas from the neighborhood, and she would say. "Manny, you know Strong
drink is a mocker" (Proverbs 20:1). I would hate to see you come as far as
you have to lose it being silly with your boys having fun while you are home on
leave." I came back from hanging out with the guys stone-cold sober. I never
dismissed her advice. Upon returning home, she said (in that old motherly voice),
"You have a good time, baby?" I answered yes, mam, it was a great
time with my friends from college. "I am so proud of you for having a good
time without getting involved with alcohol.
After a long deployment, I got another 30 days' leave, went
home, and stayed with sister Willis. I got another "suggestion" I had
just received a promotion to E5, had plans for the evening, and she said. "Manny,
you know the word speaks clearly about hanging with the wrong kind of women ("
Proverbs 7.”) My question was, How did she know what I was planning on that
evening? However, I was going on a dinner date, and after said dinner, I took
the young lady home and stated, "I'm staying with my aunt, and I need to
get back before she worries about me.' I miss sister Willis. I know she loved me
and witnessed to me about Christ, and I knew she had a serious walk with God. Near
the end of her life, my brother and I brought the church to her, where we prayed and sang. She passed in 1992 while
I was in Okinawa.
I married and had a
daughter (now living in New Orleans), but on Jan 24, 1987, I lost her in a car
accident, having flipped my new vehicle outside of Phoenix, AZ. she succumbed
to her injuries after being thrown from the car. My daughter in a car seat in
the back did not get a scratch. I remember repeatedly repeating my brother's
phone number before I became unconscious and was surprised to see him at my
bedside when I regained consciousness hours later. He took care of us while I recovered
enough to travel, which delayed my reporting to my duty station as I was pretty
beat up. But when I arrived at Holloman AFB, I reported to the housing office,
where I met the couple that became my Spiritual parents. Robert and Marilyn Hughes.
I was invited to church with them and was reintroduced to Jesus' name, Baptism. Jimmy and sister Willis witnessed me years earlier, and I told my brother
when I started attending. I am still in contact with my pastor and members of
that initial congregation.
I found myself alone again after my daughter left for college
(another painful story), where I attended a small church supporting a
pastor Higginbotham. We remain in contact to this day, and I encouraged him when
he wanted to start a YouTube Bible study series. I bounce ideas off him from
time to time and send him some of my essays. I have always listened to those who
have gone through life's trials and still maintain their integrity in the faith.
For me, the life experience of those that have been here for an extended period
on planet earth is valuable and should not be ignored.
When I see older people in the church, I know a person that has gone through some things in this life and has come out the other side. There is no substitute for experience, and that knowledge has a value that can be shared. When I think of these experienced saints, I think of Hebrews 12:1 and know if they can make it, I can too. I value their input and encouragement.
