The man who would become my father-in-law sat down in 1957 to write a letter to himself in his new calling; that letter is still in his files and LeRoy and I were re-reading it yesterday. Louis Goertz was about to move his young family from Tampa, Kansas to Henderson, Nebraska to serve as pastor to a Mennonite congregation. The previous years had been one of dedicated study while holding jobs that supported his family (including teaching); at the age of 39, he had finally graduated. In flowing script, he writes in part:
"Dear Mr. Goertz: At this happy occasion of your graduation I would like to pass on to you some thoughts of encouragement. . . . As you now see it, your place in this world is a place of service. Humanity needs your love, sympathy, understanding and help. . . .
Let it be your goal to continue teaching: make your family experiences learning experiences; prepare your sermons with an aim to stimulate thought and expect your listeners to learn some truth from each message; endeavor to teach in street conversations, not imposing your opinion upon people, but influencing them, if at all possible, to think nobly and to learn from your dignity, honesty, and Godly reverence.
There will be times when you will be tempted to relax your efforts and be content with smaller goals. Remember, '. . . in due season we shall reap if we faint not.' Go to work courageously. It is a long time before you will be old enough to retire.
Most sincerely, Louis Goertz"
Louis Goertz "retired" May 2, 2002, having served with nobility and courage all his life.
No comments:
Post a Comment