“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Psalm 122:1
I have been a worshipper of God since 1983. I say 1983 because, in that year when I was baptized into Christ, I actually knew what I was doing. For many years before this time, I wanted to know the God of Hope and Peace and Sustenance that I believed existed but had not really experienced. I had heard of Him in songs and had even heard a number of people call out to Him, but unfortunately, with no visible effect. But one day I believe I saw Him in the life of an elderly woman who never actually asked God for anything, or at least not as others had asked. He was made manifest when someone threatened to take a large inheritance from her, someone who felt justified in their action. Instead of standing up for what was rightfully hers, the woman willingly gave all that was to be given to her, to someone who, though undeserving, needed it more. In her gracious manner, I knew that when she spoke of Jesus, she knew him better than many who had called on Him in the past.
I am glad to go in the house of the Lord, to worship, to teach, to serve. I have taught many people in various settings how to “call on” the Lord and walk with Him on a daily basis. I chose to come to ACU for the opportunity to serve with a community of Christ-likeness. From this invitation to serve, I have grown as I have seen my students grow, in grace, and mercy, and in service to God, for there is no better place to serve than among those of like mind and purpose.
Although our sons are now adults and have united with other Church families, Dwain and I continue to worship at the Wylie Church of Christ, as we have since we returned to Abilene in 2007. Dwain serves as a deacon and teacher of the adult and teenager classes. He also serves as the mission liaison for African Ministries. He recently visited missionaries in Zimbabwe to ensure their financial support continues and is well used. As his wife, I serve him as he continues to grow in these roles. I continue to teach Bible classes, attend workshops, participate in door-to-door evangelism, host groups in our home and am active in other opportunities to serve as made available by Church leadership. However, in this community, we have learned to serve as we extend and receive grace and mercy; we have served when we chose to put aside differences and to love unconditionally. We have served in the face of repeated social challenges, as we choose to rise above them and focus on the need for human flourishing. Since we have been here, we have served in more ways than we would have if we had instead followed our own interests or walked our own charted path. As most of us do, we have thought about moving to another congregation at various times. However, each time God has confirmed the need to stay. These years in Abilene have been the most challenging years for us as we strive to find our place in this community. Over the years, our experiences have been mixed with both joy and sorrow as we continue to dwell in a West Texas spiritual community. Yet, in this we rejoice in that we share the suffering of Christ, and, with each new challenge, are being made whole, to continue in service for His purposes, and not our own.