Calling For You And For Me
Stories
56 Stories For Preaching
Karenza smiled as she hung up the phone. The principal's
office had called about Awards Day. Both Linda and Eric were
going to receive senior scholarships. The kids had done well this
year, she reflected. Sometimes she and John wondered how they
could be so fortunate to have children who were generally such a
joy.
The phone rang again. This time it was the church office.
Could she spare time later this afternoon to visit Ms. Ella?
Karenza acted as one of several home laity visitors for her
congregation. Most of those she visited were elderly, ill, often
missing community in one form or another. Karenza loved this part
of her church involvement. Often during and after a visit with
some of the church's oldest and wisest, she came away wishing she
could visit on a more regular basis. It was a privilege, she
often reflected, to be present at all the many points of human
joy and pain she had seen over the past two years.
Pastor Diane had initiated the program of lay visitation when
she accepted the call to their church four years earlier. By
everyone's account, it had been a major and much-needed success.
Karenza replied that she could indeed see Ms. Ella and
finished what little housework there was before noon.
Her visit to Ms. Ella was, as usual, unusual. After she had
read some Bible passages to the old woman and prayed with her,
they chatted. Ms. Ella looked at her thoughtfully, "What are you
thinking about doing now that the twins will graduate from high
school? You and your husband have some 'free time' coming up
pretty quick."
Karenza nodded. "I know. Something has been nagging at me
lately about that. John told me he thinks the answer to your
question has something to do with church. He is saying it without
saying it."
Ms. Ella took her hand. "Karenza, you know me. I speak my
mind. I will say it. It's time to get up and get going. Every
time the Lord says your name, it's time to get up and follow. I
hope you will go to the seminary."
Karenza looked at her in amazement. Then Ms. Ella knew! She
laughed at an old line that went through her thoughts. "What did
you know and when did you know it?"
Go to seminary? Now? In her early forties? She had fought hard
against the thought, but the proximity of the seminary, friends
who were attending and the continual affirmation of her
visitation gifts had confronted her day after day.
"Ms. Ella, you're right but I'm still feeling hesitant. Can I
do this?"
Ms. Ella looked her in the eyes and said firmly, "Karenza,
when the Lord calls our name, it's usually other people whose
lives do the calling. I believe it's time to get up and go about
this other part of your life."
Karenza looked at the beautiful blue-veined old face. After
months of struggle she finally said out loud to Ms. Ella, "Yes,
Lord!"
office had called about Awards Day. Both Linda and Eric were
going to receive senior scholarships. The kids had done well this
year, she reflected. Sometimes she and John wondered how they
could be so fortunate to have children who were generally such a
joy.
The phone rang again. This time it was the church office.
Could she spare time later this afternoon to visit Ms. Ella?
Karenza acted as one of several home laity visitors for her
congregation. Most of those she visited were elderly, ill, often
missing community in one form or another. Karenza loved this part
of her church involvement. Often during and after a visit with
some of the church's oldest and wisest, she came away wishing she
could visit on a more regular basis. It was a privilege, she
often reflected, to be present at all the many points of human
joy and pain she had seen over the past two years.
Pastor Diane had initiated the program of lay visitation when
she accepted the call to their church four years earlier. By
everyone's account, it had been a major and much-needed success.
Karenza replied that she could indeed see Ms. Ella and
finished what little housework there was before noon.
Her visit to Ms. Ella was, as usual, unusual. After she had
read some Bible passages to the old woman and prayed with her,
they chatted. Ms. Ella looked at her thoughtfully, "What are you
thinking about doing now that the twins will graduate from high
school? You and your husband have some 'free time' coming up
pretty quick."
Karenza nodded. "I know. Something has been nagging at me
lately about that. John told me he thinks the answer to your
question has something to do with church. He is saying it without
saying it."
Ms. Ella took her hand. "Karenza, you know me. I speak my
mind. I will say it. It's time to get up and get going. Every
time the Lord says your name, it's time to get up and follow. I
hope you will go to the seminary."
Karenza looked at her in amazement. Then Ms. Ella knew! She
laughed at an old line that went through her thoughts. "What did
you know and when did you know it?"
Go to seminary? Now? In her early forties? She had fought hard
against the thought, but the proximity of the seminary, friends
who were attending and the continual affirmation of her
visitation gifts had confronted her day after day.
"Ms. Ella, you're right but I'm still feeling hesitant. Can I
do this?"
Ms. Ella looked her in the eyes and said firmly, "Karenza,
when the Lord calls our name, it's usually other people whose
lives do the calling. I believe it's time to get up and go about
this other part of your life."
Karenza looked at the beautiful blue-veined old face. After
months of struggle she finally said out loud to Ms. Ella, "Yes,
Lord!"
