A Sunday School teacher wanted to make a point in the lesson on a particular Sunday. The Scripture was from John 16:5 – 7, “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I am leaving; for if I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”
A long-time member of the church, and a well-known man of the community, was asked to come to the Sunday School class and tell them he was leaving (not true, but effective). This man did what was asked, then the teacher asked the students, “Is there anything you want to say?” About that time a young man entered the room, late of course, and was told what had been said. The young man and the older gentleman were very close, and he had not heard of the news. This young man, a senior in High School, began to show great emotion of the news he had just heard. Effective? To this day it is still fresh on my mind.
When a person has dug “roots” into a community it is difficult for both the person to leave and for the community to respond. This is how I feel. I have told many people I would like to live in one place long enough that when I do leave and someone moves into my house, the question would be, “Where does this family live?” The answer would be, “They live in the old “HOLSTER” house.
I have truly dug roots in Levelland. I have acquired friends from not only my local church, but from many in our community and surrounding area. I am proud to call Levelland my home. But now ...
Have you ever believed you needed to just step out in faith and do something? You do not know what the next steps are or what the future will look like? This is where I am today. Yes, I am leaving. I am not mad . . . I am not in trouble . . . I am not hurt. But I am leaving to help my son and my daughter-in-love. I believe this is how I can minister to them. I do remember when our family left one community I tried to get some friends to help me load the U-Haul. The only two people to help me load the truck were the Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff . . . and they came in their official vehicles. The interesting thing was they were both from another denomination. Yet, they were friends. To my Levelland Family . . . Thank you for being a loving, caring family. We do not all belong to the same church or the same organization. But we are Levelland. To the South Plains College Family, you are special. You wrapped your arms around us and cared for us. To the Levelland Ministerial Alliance . . . FAMILY. To the Law Enforcement and Fire Department and First Responders . . . Thank you for being there when our church was on fire, when my wife and I needed assistance, and for your encouragement through the years. I am not just leaving my church or community, I am leaving FAMILY. Back to John 16 . . . Jesus was leaving. He promised He would not leave us alone. He would send a HELPER . . . the Holy Spirit. Whether you are a member of a local church or not (I encourage you to do so), God loves you so much He sent His Son. When Jesus Christ went back home (Heaven) to be with His Father, He promised us that we would not be alone. We have both the Holy Spirit and a church family to be with us.
You will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you for your friendship, prayers, and encouragement. ‘Till We Meet Again . . .
P.S. . . . Should the Sheriff or Chief of Police show up at my house, I pray they are not escorting me out of town.