Where Would I Be?

by Richard Atwood

“I was 14 years old and had just started going to church. She was my first Sunday School teacher. Maybe she wasn’t the most dynamic communicator, but she had a great smile and let me know she cared. He was my youth director. I loved those Saturday night meetings with the teens at church, and he took time on other days of the week to take us camping or to hand out tracts.

She sent me a check for $100 just when I needed it as a college student struggling financially. He fixed my car and didn’t charge me anything. She was the church secretary and encouraged me when I was an intern at their church. He was the guy who helped me out when I was a youth director fresh out of college. He always had a smile when I needed it.

She and some of her friends cleaned up my house before I brought my new bride home. When I was a young pastor, he was always faithful to church and smiled and nodded while I preached…and bragged on it afterwards. She always invited others to our church, and some of them stayed. He was a deacon and was an invaluable help in starting a new church.

She was so welcoming to all the new people at our new church and would have them over to her house for dinner. He helped build a new church building and saved us thousands of dollars. They both prayed for me, spoke kind words, worked hard, and gave me much encouragement.

By now, maybe you may have figured out that I am talking about more than one person. One of the best blessings God has given me are the many people who have befriended me and helped me throughout my life. If I were to start talking about it, I would get choked up.

Where would I be without Mr. and Mrs. Christian?

About the Writer: Richard Atwood is director of missionary assistance for Free Will Baptist Home Missions. Read more at www.homemissions.net.