Let the light shine out!
“Let the light shine out from the great Northwest; we turn our hearts to thee. ……So thrust us out & lead us on, to promised victory!”
These are the words of my undergraduate school fight song’s Alma Matter: Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, where I graduated (barely) with a degree in Religion and Philosophy. I’m just as surprised as anyone else that I am pulling a 4.0 in my PhD program now.
I used to walk around the college cafeteria with a cup of tea in my hand & visit random tables.
This started after I had to go home for a while.
My widowed mother was alone when a drunk teenager broke into her home & assaulted her.
Broken ribs, blackened eyes—the whole bit. I was so grateful for the guys on my floor who, upon my return to the dorms, were literally gathered in the hall lobby praying for several things, including me, during that difficult time. When I returned to NU, I didn’t care as much about grades in the same way. But what I did care about was people. Something had changed in me.
After that experience, I never looked at people the same. You see, it occurred to me that you are not guaranteed your next day with anyone.
My mom lived through her assault and this led to me having a power of attorney over her & helping to care for her for the next fifteen years until she passed away. From that time on my responsibilities were always split three ways. Take care of mom, finish school, and make some money so I can live. Back then I did not have a lot of time for ministry experience to build on a resume.
Oh…back to the cup of tea.
I used to carry a cup of tea around with me after this event, because I had heard somewhere that if you have something in your hands you appear more approachable. I have a “serious face” apparently and some people found me intimidating somehow. I began to consider how to rectify this.
So after my mom’s assault I walked around with a cup of tea, building relationships & talking with total strangers because you never know if this day they will be here & the next day they will be gone.
I have continued this behavior for over twenty years.
And so still I find myself, often, cup in hand, leaning over a table, siting with strangers building relationships. Why? I have enough friends in this life. I don’t really need more. But if just one person is encouraged to take their next steps toward God, it’s worth it. A friend of mine passed recently in hospice. As we prayed again to rededicate his life to Christ, he asked me to say “that prayer” with everyone at the funeral. And when the time comes I will honor his wishes. “That’s what it’s all about, Isn’t it Joe?” He asked me as he looked into my eyes. Yes. Yes it is.
The motto of Northwest University under President Dr. Don Argue still rings true for me as we have been called by God to Pastor in WA, TX, MI, and now WI. Carry the call, with head, heart & hand.” In all circumstances we are called to let our light shine out. One cup of tea at a time.