Last week Margaret Pitts and her daughter and son-in-law very graciously drove us to Glenn Memorial UMC on the Emory University campus to celebrate the memorial of a mutual friend, Florence Webb, who had past away on New Year’s Eve. Without a doubt the most common remark of all who knew Flossie, was that she seemed to have virtually the entire text to the United Methodist Hymnal memorized. She would frequently recite all verses of a hymn during the congregational prayer on a Sunday morning at Glenn.
It is fitting that I give tribute to this dear friend and all others who sing out their faith without shame . . . without hesitation. During our Community-wide Spiritual Revival and Reconciliation Conference with Elston McLain, I pray that we all experience “God’s good grace, somehow!” Here is how another poet expresses her personal witness as a Christian:
Christians - By Maya Angelou
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."
When I say.... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
And need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible,
But God believes I am worth it.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the whispering hope of being found and forgiven. Thank you for guiding me through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you being my strength in spite of my weakness. Thank you for cleaning up my messes and failures. Thank you for believing in me when others don’t think I’m worth the effort. Thank you for soothing my heartache and pain. Thank you for saving me and redeeming me, even though I am just a simple sinner. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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