It's a family tradition

Burt and Rachel invited us over for pancakes—homemade from scratch pancakes—the best in the world pancakes. It’s their family tradition every Saturday night.

I’d like to spend a few more Saturday nights with them.

Every Sunday evening Burt makes popcorn—that’s cool too.

But the thing that really gets me is the thing they do each and every day.

I already suspected they did it, because I saw evidence of it the other day. I can prove it too.

We were sitting in our Wednesday morning Bible study class in the clubhouse and when we bowed our heads to pray, I saw them do it. It was so smooth and natural I knew they’d done it before…a million times before.

I was so impressed, instead of bowing my head and closing my eyes like everybody else—I whipped out my camera instead.

At eighty-five and eighty-nine they still have a love song that keeps going strong.

How?

Rich or poor, in sickness and in health, everyday they hold hands, bow their heads and pray.

Intimacy breathes the air of prayer.

“There’s not much I can do—” Rachel shrugged her shoulders and smiled so humble and so sweet—“but every night after I get in bed, I sing to Jesus.”

And then, she sang for us.

Jesus is the sweetest name I know…

I’m pretty sure, about that time angels filled the room. I know for sure, God was there.

Just thinking about it, I can feel Him now.

Burt said, “See what I have to put up with every night.” He was trying to be funny, but his eyes twinkled with nothing but love for his precious wife.

We sat on the patio and Rachel brought Burt a cup of water. “She’s always trying to get me to drink more water.” He said.

They talked about the year Burt retired from being a lineman. They volunteered to help a youth camp get ready for opening. They worked so hard they decided to never do that again. After all—they were supposed to be retired.

But, a few months after the season ended they received a letter. When they told us this part their eyes lit up the place. The letter thanked them for their assistance in helping to lead thirty two kids to Christ.

For the next fifteen years they traveled doing everything from sweeping floors at youth camps to flying overseas to help at debriefing camps for missionaries.

Now here they sit, spending winters in a little park model camper in a little RV Village in the middle of Florida, playing Bocce Ball, Shuffle Board, making pancakes and popcorn…and changing the world, each and every day, when they bow their heads and pray.

 “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16b)

·         I know it’s true. Burt & Rachel’s children and grandchildren are following their example of a Godly lifestyle and they too, are changing the world.

·         (The ministry Burt and Rachel worked with is: SOWERS, Servants On Wheels Ever Ready http://www.sowerministry.org/)

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