I went back a few months ago to a community where I formerly lived and served as pastor. The reason for my visit was to attend the funeral of a dear lady in that congregation who ministered to me more than I ministered to her when I served as her pastor. My visits to that community have been rare in the last 25 years since I lived in that place. I was struck by how much the community has changed in those 25 years. Major businesses where many people worked have closed. When I lived in Ashe County, I had to drive 45 minutes to get to Walmart. Now, Walmart has come to the county bringing joy to some consumers and bringing scorn to some local small businesses that have seen their business suffer. While Ashe County had 3 high schools years ago, they have been merged into one high school for the entire county. The county continues to have a hospital, but any major medical issues for residents are dealt at hospitals outside the county minutes or hours away.
Amid the changes in that community in the last 25 years, I was struck by the constancy of the church. As the New River continues to meander through the hills and hollers of that county, the church continues to worship and serve. Despite the fact that the heads of its members are grayer than 25 years ago and the church pews are not as full, it continues to be as faithful as the rising and setting of the sun. When my wife Ann and I were married, we had in the service a congregational hymn. The words of the first verse are found below:
Great is
Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changes not, Thy compassion's, they fail
not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be
Thanks be to God for His
faithfulness and thanks be to God for people
that continue to serve. Have a joy-filled week. - Randy L. Wall
PRAYER
-- O God, thank you
for your abiding, faithful love and thank you that though seasons change
and the years bring change your people continue to serve. Thank you, God; in Christ’s name I
pray. Amen.
