helping to form a young clerk…
On this Memorial Day, May 31, 2010, I remember the life of James K. Bridges.
I remember that first time walking into your home in Waxahachie, as a young seminary student. You laughed, joked, and welcomed me with open arms. You treated me with respect and humility. No air or pretenses, or the slightest sense of arrogance. You walked with grace and humility. I didn’t even know that you were the District Superintendent!
Years later, even as the General Treasurer, you welcomed me and my family in your home in Springfield with the same warmth and grace. You gave us personal tour and even allowed my 10 and 7 year old boys to run around your beautiful home…you smiled and told me I had beautiful boys (all the while, I worried they were going to break something!)! You were a somebody, who acted as though they were a nobody! (I say that with the greatest respect…)
You modeled a life of grace and humility (Matthew 23:11-12).
I will forever remember the life lesson you have taught me. Gilbert Burnett wrote, “the greatest good that one can hope to do in this world is upon young persons, who have not yet taken their ply, and not spoiled with prejudices and wrong notions. Those who have taken an ill one at first, will neither be at the pains to look over their notions, nor turn to new methods; no will they, by any change of practice, seem to confess that they were once in the wrong. So that if matters that are amiss can be mended or set right, it must be by giving those that have not yet set out, and that are not engaged truer views and juster ideas of things. I will therefore here lay down the model upon which a clerk is to be formed…” (Discourse of the Pastoral Care, 149)
Thanks for helping form this young clerk…
