Sunday, March 7, 2010

Senior's Ministry (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

• God would continue to raise up leaders
• Seniors will use their gifts, talents, and creativity to make this ministry all that God wants it to be
• Mentoring Program Leader

The following events seemed to flow so naturally, I didn’t even realize I had a special story that could challenge others. Faith in God and His control of my daily life was a habit and taken for granted. I didn’t realize just how unusual these events were until my pastor, Bob Moore, asked me if he could use my story. I blinked and said, “of course,” and then mentally reviewed what had happened.

It was 1978. My husband, the first pastor of Greenridge, had died four years earlier. Greenridge was growing, and we were eager to build the second unit of our church. As we entered the phase of planning the finances, I became quite depressed. I didn’t see any way I could contribute to this building. Al and I had borrowed from the bank to buy bonds which were used to finance our first building. My two dress shops weren’t doing well. I eventually had to go to work at IBM to pay these bills. I finally closed the business.

If Al were alive, he would have found a way. I felt it was important to his memory for us to have a share in this project. I finally accepted the fact that humanly speaking, there was no way I could give. One Tuesday evening, a realtor friend called me at my store. “Norrie,” she said. “Have you ever thought about selling your house?” Of course not, I thought. I still had two young girls to raise. She continued, “I have a young couple here who are looking for a home and they are describing your house! Let me show it to them.” I told her “NO.” I was not at all interested. In fact, I was preparing to move my Damascus store to the Damascus Shopping Center. All of my time and energy was involved with that. No way would I even consider it. She said, “Let ME show it to them tonight. If they aren’t interested, I’ll drop it.” I told her, “Absolutely not. There are dirty dishes in the sink, Heidi’s room is a disaster, and I am alone in the store and can’t leave. Forget it!” She finally persuaded me that there was nothing lost if they looked. After all, she knew my house, and she would take care of everything. Finally I gave in.

Later that night, she showed up at my store with a contract and a deposit. She had sold it “as is” so I didn’t have to do anything, and sold it for more money than I would have dared to ask. I couldn’t believe it! I still wasn’t interested because when would I ever find time to look for another house? She told me she would take care of that . . . and she did. The final result was I moved into a house two miles closer to my store. I put in new carpeting, storm windows, shutters, and papered and painted the entire house. One condition was that I would only consider a house with place for a senior friend from Greenridge who lived with me. I was able to finish half of the double garage into a room and bath with a private entrance for her. Also, I now had central air conditioning. Best of all, I NOW WAS ABLE TO GIVE A SIGNIFICANT SUM TO THE BUILDING FUND.

Pastor Moore said all of this happened because I wanted to have a part in building this church. I got everything I needed and more. Should you sell your house to be involved in our current campaign? Probably not. But if you want to do something that will bring others into the Kingdom of God……..brace yourself. He will honor your desire. IMAGINE WHAT THE SPIRIT WILL DO THROUGH YOU!!!

~Norrie Gill