YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME

"As I was thinking about what to say to the senior class at FUMC, I kept coming back to the fact that this group was fun-loving kids at heart. It took me back to a childhood of toys which led me to the movie Toy Story 3. In the movie, the character Andy is packing to go to college and he is deciding what to take with him. Many of you will go through a similar process of deciding what to keep, what to take and what to get rid of. I suspect some of you might have some of these things lying around: magic 8 ball,hot wheels, Lego's, barbie dolls, beanie babies,gigapets and more. In the movie Andy decides to get rid of everything but his doll and friend 'Woody'. What are your 'keepers'? A lot transpires in the middle of the movie, but after a long journey the toys find their way back together. Woody leaves a note for Andy and thinking it is from his mom, Andy follows her suggestion and gives all the toys(including Woody) to a little girl. He gives her these instructions 'now Woody, he's been my pal for as long as I can remember. He's brave, like a cowboy should be. And kind, and smart. But the thing that makes Woody special, is he'll never give up on you...ever. He will always be there for you, no matter what. Sounds an awful lot like your parents, an awful lot like the steadfast love of God, a lot like your church and those of us who work with you. There is a song in Toy Story 3 that says it better than I. Listen to the words. I want to lift out two lines. 'None of them will ever love you the way that I do' and 'as the years go by our friendships will never die'"


YouTube - Toy Story 3 - You've got A Friend In Me (Original) 1995 ~ 2010


"The memories we have made in our hearts as families,school,church family will last a lifetime. In a moment you will receive your blanket. This has become a tradition and a tangible way to wrap the friendships around you. If you have ever watched a baby lying on a mother's chest, you see her raise her little head rooting around. When she is able to suck her thumb and grab a corner of a blanket she becomes secure enough to lay her head down. Hopefully this blanket will make you secure whether you are in Raleigh, Wilmington, Greenville, Chapel Hill or Pennsylvania. I hope you know when you close your eyes at night, there are friends and family still thinking of you, wondering if you're okay and praying for you each and every day. And parents, the same is true for you. In all the excitement of the next two weeks, your children may forget to say I love you and thank you. And next year, they may not respond to your text immediately. But I know these young people and I can promise to you for them when they lay their head down at night, they will be thinking of you, wondering if you're okay and praying for you too. Thank you for the gift you have given to me in each of your child-like spirits. You have a friend in me, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

Steadfast Love

As Holden and Anna were baptised on Sunday, I was reminded that as christians we promise with every baptism to help raise each other's children as followers of Jesus.


In my home church, the adults took this role seriously. Mr. Hamrick was just as likely to call me down for running in the hall as my own dad. Parents had each other's kids over for Sunday dinner and we played till time to go back to church. And when one of the teens broke a window out in my dad's store (which was beside the church), because he hit the ball so hard, my dad didn't chew him out, he said "I'm going to tell the high school coach what a good hitter you are. the adults who were mentors to me loved me and cared that I loved God. This is the kind of role models Holden and Anna need in their life.


Next Sunday a new class of confirmands will join the church and publicly proclaim their desire to be a disciple. The National Study of Youth and religion believes parents "get what they are" religiously. And likewise, our confirmands will mirror the goals, lifestyles, practices and problems of other adults who are helping to raise them. So, be in church this Sunday, May 22, and when we promise to nurture these children with steadfast love, let's accept this responsibility with the convictions of Mr. Hamrick, my parents, and yours.

WHAT CAN MAKE ME FEEL THIS WAY . . .MY MOM, MY MOM

As I sat on the stage with Elizabeth who has lost her mother this past year, I was struck by her answer to one of the questions from the Boys and Girls Club audience. "What advice would you give to those of us who still have our mothers here on earth?" Her answer appears to be a simple one, 'Appreciate them, spend time with them and tell them you love them as often as you can.' On the surface I think most of us would agree we do that. But upon further reflection while we feel that way, often our expressions fall short.

As my own mother battles dementia, I find myself wanting some down time. WOW, how selfish of me when I think of all the sacrifices she has made for me. I think of the youth and how they can be so rude at times when their parents are late picking them up. Teenagers, wonder how many hours your mom has spent picking up after you, waiting on you at the dinner table, or waiting for you to text back. Elizabeth's words are absolutely true. But this Mother's Day we absolutely need to a better job following through with our gift of appreciation. time and love.

I owe my mother so much. Her hands made our house a home. She was always right, even when I chose wrong. And I still long to be in her presence.

Thank you Elizabeth for your wonderful insight. You are wise beyond your fourteen years. I will be thinking of you on your first Mother's Day without your mom. I challenge everyone who reads this blog to say a prayer for Elizabeth and all others without their mothers this year and to offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the mothers who are still in our presence.