"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." -- Philippians 1:3-5
This was the passage Susannah Pittman quoted as she began her last sermon at our church. It was appropriate. Paul certainly understood leaving those he'd taught and worshiped with and moving on as he followed God's call. That's what Susannah is doing. She and her husband are following God's call to North Carolina.
Susannah was one of the first people I spoke with at this church. She was teaching a small group Bible study every Monday morning. It sounded good and I asked if I could go. She welcomed me enthusiastically. I was impressed with her knowledge. I was most impressed with who she is and the kindness and compassion she carries inside her.
I know that change is inevitable. And I'm sure the new pastors that are heading our way will be wonderful. But that knowledge doesn't ease the ache inside me when I consider that I may never hear Susannah preach again or discuss a Bible passage with her. She has a special way of getting past the rhetoric and on to the point. She makes the scripture come alive.
One member of our Sunday school class suggested it would be wonderful to have Susannah return to us in, oh, 15 to 20 years. We all know she will continue to grow spiritually as God uses her and works within her. Just as we have all grown spiritually through knowing her. That sounds like a wonderful idea to me. It never hurts to put a request in early though I'm sure God is having a good laugh about now.
Whatever path Susannah and Lonnie follow, I know it will be a path set forth by God. And I know that my life will forever be richer because of the brief time I spent knowing Susannah. And, yes, I will "thank my God every time I remember" her.
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