When I was a kid growing up on the farm in NW Ohio, getting away from the chores and work that were assigned to me was like a sense of freedom.  Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Thursday evening were weekly freedom from the farm times.  You could find all of our family at the friendly church on the corner in Wauseon, Ohio, on those times.  I would be less than honest if I tried to convey that all of this time was spent in quiet solitude being a perfect Mennonite little boy!  In addition to all of the Biblical teaching that was absorbed, there was a lot of fun and lifelong relationships were built.

My best friend during those days was John Hess who is now a doctor in Tasmania.  News this week of his father Jake Hess passing on, at the age of 96, to be with the Lord brings back many incredible memories.  Getting to sit during the church service with John’s family included sitting with his Dad of course, and if I had really been good that week, I might spend all of Sunday with the Hess’s.  Jake was very patient with kids and he was also a business man selling baby chicks and animal feeds of all kinds to farmers.  I remember his willingness to keep a horse or two that we could ride and also teach us the safety rules that allowed us to ride the family’s Cushman motor scooter.  He was knowledgeable about the local sports scene and noticed all of my games that I played even though I attended a different high school than his son. 

But Jake's influence on me didn’t stop there.  When I sat next to him during church, I noticed that when I wanted to ask him a question during prayer time, he was not available to me.  His head was bowed; his hands were clasped together and humbly set upon his lap.  When the prayer was over, he always responded to my questions.  To this day, whenever I pray, I always try to pray just like Jake!  I fold my hands just like he did; I focus on what God wants to tell me; and I trust that anyone who needs me will wait until I listen for God’s voice speaking to my heart.  Our pastor at Idlewild talked today about sermons being lived as more powerful than the ones that are preached.  For all the sermons I have heard on prayer, as good as they have been, none have had an impact on me like watching Jake!

Matthew 5:15-16 (RSV) “Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” 

Monday Morning Message Sent 6/28/10

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