Cynthia Wier
Philippians 1:3-11

3 I thank my God every time I remember you, 4 constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, 5 because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight 10 to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11 having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

Micah: 6:8
He has showed you, O Man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Reflection:

I remember my first grade Sunday School teacher. Mrs. Watson welcomed me with a smile as I entered her class at Austin Avenue Methodist Church in Waco. She was friendly and loved working with young children. We sang “Jesus Loves Me” and colored pictures of the disciples. I had the good fortune of getting to know her better as I grew up. She and her husband owned a gift shop where I enjoyed browsing with my mother.

 

Mrs. Jeanette Maxwell taught fourth grade Sunday School. In our small class of boys and girls I made new friends and looked forward to Sundays.  Our teacher was kind, always ready to present the lesson in just the right way for our developmental level. We all learned  Bible verses as she told stories of characters from both the Old and New Testaments.  

 

She truly showed us a way of living that honored God.

 

I learned so much from her. And I specifically remember memorizing the verse from Micah. We loved being with her and receiving in her own special way an introduction to many parts of the Bible. Later on, she taught me ninth-grade English and eleventh-grade American history in school. In many ways, she was my first mentor. As I reflect,I had many mentors throughout my life for whom I’m grateful. They encouraged me in my faith.

 

During high school, I joined the church choir which I loved. Our director, a generous man who was a professor of music at Baylor, was happy to have members young and old sing hymns and anthems each Sunday morning and during Christmas and Easter seasons. He approached all of us with kindness whether we were soloists or not. I loved his smile and encouragement.

 

In my first year of college, I had Old and New Testament courses. I so admired Dr. Hobby, the minister at the Presbyterian church, who spent time each week discussing the curriculum and bringing us along in our spiritual journey. When my aunt died suddenly at the end of that year, he sent a letter of sympathy and kindness to ease my loss.

 

Soon after we joined St. Luke’s, we found an adult Sunday School class taught by our great friend Dr. Gene Decker. A French professor at the University of Houston, he spent many summers on mission trips and was such an example for all of us.  He encouraged class members to share their own faith stories by offering lessons from the Bible and life experiences.

 

Some years later I volunteered in the children’s Sunday School classes.  There too were outstanding church members who devoted Sunday mornings to being with kids. I found my young spiritual tutors ready to teach me with a generous heart.  

 

I landed in the fifth-grade class with a great teacher named Bruchs Hall.  I gained so much from his lengthy experience as I talked to the students – often about their schools, sports, friends, choir. We tried different formats as we walked through the year with Jesus.  The baby in the manger, the family of Jesus, his ministry with his disciples, and his death at Golgotha, stories they had heard but came to know again with a little more depth.  During Lent, the class observed a “Last Supper” with costumes.  Bill Stell, one of our clergy, came as Jesus and we were served bread and wine – grape juice – as Jesus offered to his disciples on Maundy Thursday.

 

On women’s retreats I found mentors once more.  Ellen Shepherd, our Director of Children’s Ministries, brought us together as a community to find time away in prayer, friendship, and renewal together. These were calm and meaningful outings that brought us closer to God and nature.

 

In recent years I’ve had an opportunity to participate in some of St. Luke’s small groups – both with Bill Denham and Peter Miller as leaders. I was blessed with their knowledge of the Bible, their friendship, and their support in times of need.   

 

As always, I am grateful for Dr. Pace and all our pastors who teach and care for us.  On Sundays and all through each week, they are there for us.

 

These people showed me a way of life that honors God and encouraged me in my faith. Perhaps you can take a moment today to reflect on the many people who did the same for you. 

 

Prayer:

Dear Father.  You have given me mentors to show me, to teach me, to be with me in good times and bad.  I am grateful to all who reach out to me.  Help me to apply these habits each day that you have provided examples of right in my midst.  Keep me on the right track.  I am thankful for all those who encourage me to follow the path you have set. In Christ’s name. Amen.