Rounding Third and Heading for …

It is the middle of my last week working at the church I have served over half of my time in ministry – almost 20 years. And life feels surreal.

Everything feels somehow extremely familiar and somehow very different. It is no doubt connected to knowing that within a few days everything I had become accustomed to will be changed. Living in the same house for about as long as I have ever lived in a house. Coming to the office. Seeing great friends. Lunch with the staff. Fielding phone calls with some very familiar voices on the other end. I still remember how surprised I was many years ago when I called the Brogden's home. Their older daughter Elizabeth, at the time a pre-teen, answered. All I said was, "Could I speak to your mother?" She put her hand over the receiver and yelled, "Mom, its Bill." I couldn't believe she knew it was me. When Susan came to the phone I told her how shocked it was that Elizabeth knew it was me. Susan just said, in a tone that spoke volumes about how dumb she thought I was, "Of course she recognized your voice." I will miss that.

Reading the last paragraph it is obvious that my mind wanders a lot lately. It wanders back to some wonderful old memories. I think of the amazing folks I have been privileged to know over the years that are now gone. I was with several of them as they passed over to the other side. These are sweet, precious memories. My mind wanders to some of the folks I have crossed swords with in those nasty church battles. Fortunately most of them have remained friends. I think of the kids I have watched grow up and have kids of their own. I remember being transported into the presence of God through some of the most amazing worship I have ever experienced. I think of the laughter shared and I think of the tears we shed together. I remember standing around a hospital bed as members of the choir sang some favorite hymns for Ruth Ann Kendrick and weeping so I couldn't choke out a prayer when called upon to close our time together. I remember the look of peace in her eyes and the sweetness of her smile when I asked Beryl Roever if she was ready to die. I think of the twinkle in Don Evan's eyes when he would say, "I just can't wait to see what God is going to do next."

Notice that my mind rarely wanders back to special programs or buildings or board meetings. Those were all good. But it is the people I will miss. So many people who loved me and challenged me and made me think. People who prayed for me, who prayed with me, who encouraged me, who bound up my wounds, who laughed with me and who laughed at me. People who were willing to do church in ways they had never done it before. People who found great joy in serving others. People who were just plain fun to be with. Lord, I will miss the people.

I was thinking of the late Joe Nuxall, Cincinnati Reds pitcher and radio announcer. He would always end his broadcast by saying, "This is the ol' left-hander rounding third and heading for home." Perhaps I can end my time of ministering in Harrison by saying, "This is the old left-hander rounding third and heading for… "

Thanks for the memories. It has been a great ride.

Copyright © 2011, William T. McConnell, All Rights Reserved