(To my friends at Central Presbyterian Church)
I was lost.
I didn’t know it.
I thought I had it all together.
I thought I could do it alone,
As I had for many years.
But one of you found me,
Wandering in the hallways,
And brought me into the bosom of the church
Where I was surrounded by others who cared.
I needed love.
I didn’t know it.
I thought it was an overrated commodity.
I thought I could live without it,
As I had for many years.
But one of you hugged me
And poured love into my empty life,
And brought me to others who poured more love in
Until it overflowed in every direction.
I needed to follow.
I didn’t know it.
I thought I was a leader (without followers).
I thought I could go it alone,
As I had for many years.
But one of you sought me out
And drew me into the fellowship of believers,
And brought me to others who shared their awesome gifts,
Always lifting others up, without putting me down.
I needed to serve.
I didn’t know it.
I thought “doing” was enough.
I thought others would do the serving,
As I had for many years.
But one of you was a mirror of Christ
And showed me how to serve others by serving me
And brought me to others who gave themselves to me,
Without seeking payment, without keeping score.
I needed to learn.
I didn’t know it.
I thought my graduate degrees were enough.
I thought I had all the education I needed,
As I had for many years.
But one of you taught me I was wrong.
You took my hand and gently counseled me
And brought me to others who pushed, and prodded, and nudged me
Until I was a “disciple” and was discipled.
I was ready to lead.
I didn’t know it.
I thought following was enough.
I thought others would do the leading,
As I had for many years.
But one of you nominated me,
Questioned me, challenged me, encouraged me and affirmed me,
And brought me to others who were looking for a leader
And all of your hands were laid on me.
I was ready to go.
I didn’t know it.
I thought I could stay in this community of believers forever.
I thought others would go instead of me,
As I had for many years.
But one of you handed me an application,
Another called the seminary,
And another called me, and another, and another
Until the call echoed in the depths of my soul.
From the beginning,
What I needed was Christ.
I didn’t know it.
I couldn’t see it.
I thought praying was all I needed to do.
I thought Sunday morning was enough,
As I had for many years.
But one of you showed me
The body of Christ
And all of you
Cared for me,
Loved me,
Guided me,
Served me,
Discipled me,
Affirmed me,
Sent me,
And brought me to others who did the same.
Surrounded by your love,
Strengthened by your care,
Amazed by your grace,
I saw Christ in each of you
And, somehow,
You saw Christ in me.
I pray that one day I may show Christ to others
In as simple and powerful a way
As you showed Christ to me.
Thank you.
SHARON BRYANT moved to Austin, Texas, in 1998 and discovered a church home at Central Presbyterian Church. Central Presbyterian Church is a church nestled in the downtown area of Austin — a stone’s throw from the State Capitol building. Sharon served on the session and then went to Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary under their care. Later, she was ordained and served as pastor of a church in Grace Presbytery before becoming a mission co-worker with the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
