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Every Day is Precious: Gifts for the body that feed the heart
By ROB PAYNE
For Williamson A.M.
''We missed you at church last week.'' I've heard it many times in the Baptist Sunday School classes I've been involved with over the years.
In my mind, I always translate this statement to mean, ''I had to be here last week, where were you?''
At one time in my life, I thought it may be just a ''Baptist thing.'' But I've been a regular attendee in other denominations and have heard the same and similar comments, so I think maybe it's a ''church thing.''
We finally found a Sunday School class that didn't make me feel guilty about not being there the PSALT class (an acronym for People Studying And Learning Together) at ClearView Baptist Church. They aren't indifferent if we're not there, they just make the class content and camaraderie so that I want to be there instead of being somewhere else.
Three years ago we went to Sunday school the Sunday after my wife, Marcy, was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. When they asked for prayer requests, we were second or third and mentioned the doctors' diagnosis. Instead of waiting until hearing all the requests and praying one long prayer, they immediately stopped and prayed for Marcy long and heartfelt.
We haven't been to Sunday school in at least a year and a half now. Our morning treatments and routines normally last until 11 a.m. or noon.
I don't even know when they stopped calling it Sunday school now it is Bible Worship. And our Sunday school, oops, Bible Worship class has grown and split three or four times since we were there. I'm on their e-mail list and only know a small fraction of the others on the list.
But they pray for us not the ''I'll pray for you'' Sunday lip service, but real prayer together every Sunday morning and individually throughout the week. And they give updates on Marcy's condition to the congregation for Wednesday night prayer groups. And many have contributed to Marcy's care, both in cash and in coming to our house to help with chores that no one wants to do.
I thought that was more than enough for them to be doing, then we received a $150 Kroger gift card signed by the PSALT class.
That's when it struck me again that they have more Jesus in them than they have church. They have a genuine compassion. I would suggest the class keep the acronym PSALT, but it seems more appropriate to let it stand for Praising, Serving, and Affirming the Lord Together.
If you know someone in need, consider giving them a gift certificate to a grocery store. Everybody has to eat. It's a pretty sure thing that your gift will feed more than the body.
Please join us Monday, October 20, 2003 at Mulligans for Marcy, a golf and dinner fundraiser for Marcy's care. Go to www.EveryDayIsPrecious.com for information. Every Day Is Precious is a column to remind us to treat everyone we see today as if it could be the last time we see them. It is written by Rob Payne, whose wife, Marcy, was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). For more ways to help others, to find more about Marcy, or to receive email updates on her condition, visit www.EveryDayIsPrecious.com. Readers may contribute to her care by sending donations to Every Day Is Precious, 2051 Harvington Drive, Franklin, TN, 37069. If you have helped someone without being asked, or know of someone who has, share it with others. Send to rob@everydayisprecious.com or to Every Day Is Precious, 2051 Harvington Drive, Franklin, TN. 37069.
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