Weekend with Warriors of the Faith

by Susan DeCarlo Lasswell
(Susan is the younger sister of Northwest College/University 60s Alum, Don Jones)

Sunday, July 26, 2009

The timelessness and timeliness of God was brought home to me quite clearly this weekend, as I joined a group of family and friends at an informal weekend reunion of the Northwest Bible College ’s 60’s decade graduates.

A theme of reconnection, healing and returning to my beginnings continues in the most unexpected ways. I am learning to say ‘yes’ to invitations, as even to a campground outside Sedro Woolley, Washington with a group of people having a rather tenuous connection to me. Each God ordained experience leads to another layer unpeeled, another adventure on this journey.

I myself did not attend the college, however my former sister-in-law and my brother did. Eunice and I are still ‘family’, and I welcomed the opportunity to see her and her new husband Elvin, along with (to my surprise) many people that had been part of my early years. Roy and Arlene, Anita and her new husband Dan, Frank and his wife, the Hardy’s . . . I found myself enveloped in hugs and ‘hi kiddo’, ‘great to see you after all these years’, and ‘it’s so nice to have young ones with us.’ LOVED being the ‘young one’ let me tell you!!

Perhaps the part that touched my heart the most was simply watching and listening. These are regular people who have endured and run the race; some have stumbled and have been restored, others have stayed the course. All have stories to tell of God’s faithfulness. The fatal heart attack and God’s healing hand, two amazing love stories that speak to God’s grace, restoration and new beginnings. Ministries that continue with evangelism, mission work, preaching, worship leaders . . .

Friday night was “ Bluegrass style hymn sing-a-long”. As the hymn singing progressed, faces brightened, voices rang out confidently. Person after person was called out by their ‘classmates’ to get up and sing.  I heard “We never sing these in church any more” and “I’m not sure I remember the words, it’s been so long since I’ve sung the old hymns.” Guess what? We all remembered! There were a few words here and there or an unfamiliar stanza that tripped us up. But Elvin, or whoever had the mic at the moment, would keep us going!

Somewhere in the evening the mood subtly shifted from a fun sing-along to joyous, tender, heartfelt worship. We sang of the love of Jesus, of the Cross, of our Blessed Assurance, of that day that we all Fly Away. We were reminded that Through it All we had learned to trust in Jesus, of the Amazing Grace of our Friend, Jesus.

I sat with tears welling up, as “Great is Thy Faithfulness” rang out through the campgrounds. I was sitting on the front bench, with 50+ people behind me, voices blending in four part harmony. Banjos, stand up bass, guitar and keyboard joining the sounds together. My voice was silenced as I raised my hands and let that heavenly choir sound envelop me and pour into my very soul.

Rita commented to the group “Remember when we’d sit around in our dorms and sing together? We really MEANT it back then. The Lord is reminding me to return to that simplicity, that first love.”

This group of mid-60 years old and up who are vibrantly and actively serving Jesus were a powerful testimony to me. No one was talking ‘too old’. Rather, I heard about the plans, the trips, the outreach, the opportunities. One couple moved to Russia recently to teach – a whole new ministry for them.

If anyone reading this thinks “I’m too old, too used up, too damaged, I’ve missed out on what God planned for my life, I have impossible circumstances . . .” let me share a powerful truth. Hear it well, as I did.

GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH YOU YET. Just in case you’re skeptical, as I can be, let me say it another way: “…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 1:6 (NIV)

A weekend with Warriors of the Faith. What an experience! What an encouragement! “And oh, what joy fills my soul. Something happened, and now I know – He touched me, and made me whole.”