Yesterday I spent the day packing in anticipation of my traveling
up to Lake Ontario, my summer home where I’ve been going every summer since I
was born.
I always look forward to being at the lake, but with
Jean’s passing a year and a half ago, I recognized there was a part of me that
was holding back as I realized my time at the lake is never going to be the
same without her.
Before I left, I wanted to share a Leadership Thought,
but as sometimes is the case, I had no idea what to share, and feeling a bit
melancholy, I thought I would forgo any message, grab my little dog Maggie, my
faithful traveling companion, and get and early morning start on my five and
half hour trek north to Henderson Harbor, New York.
Before leaving, however, I checked my e-mail, and there
staring at me on my screen I was surprised to see an e-mail from a person I
hadn’t seen in over 50 years. I don’t know how she tracked me down, but I can
tell you I am so glad she did.
As I read her-mail- and I apologize if it seems a bit
self-serving- my melancholy suddenly lifted, as tears of gladness began to
trickle down my cheeks.
“Dear Mr. Crenshaw,
I wonder if you remember our family. My mother’s name
was Elaine, and she became a Christian after you came to Pompey United Church
in about 1968 or 1969. I just want you to know you had an incredible impact on
my mother, father and our family. Most of us are following Jesus. Many of Mom’s
and Dad’s grandchildren are also living lives as faithful believers - however
imperfectly!
My dad, Frank Valletta, passed away in 2020. My mom just
passed away in February, and she just moved out of the Pompey area a year or so
ago. In the last year or so before she passed away, she and I talked about you.
She reviewed what happened after you came to Pompey United and how it
influenced her to read the Bible and to truly seek God and seek a relationship
with Jesus.
I tried to find your information before she passed away,
but I couldn’t. This time when I looked it didn’t seem to be hard at all. My
family and I -my siblings I should say- are so thankful that you were faithful
to preach the truth. God changed our whole family through your faithful
preaching at Pompey United Church.
May You and your family be abundantly blessed,
Beth Valletta Catranis”
I share Beth’s letter to point out how in only a few
minutes of time and some clicks on a computer keyboard, you can change a
person’s day, and yes, maybe even a person’s life..
Mother Teresa was fond of saying, “Kind words are short
and easy to speak (and yes, to write) but their echoes are endless.”
How glad I am this morning for those echoes as I begin
traveling north, and as I drive, I will be wondering if what I have shared
might encourage you to write and surprise some special friend you haven’t seen
in a long time.
If
you do, I can promise you that you will make two people happy!
Yours in faith and friendship,
Tom
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