I remember feeling the wind upon my face when I sat in the back seat of the old car, and my Uncle Jesse (the superintendent of schools and preacher in a rural area in Texas) drove down two lane roads with my Aunt Grace in the front seat. Sundays could be hectic. Many times, we would travel 90 miles one way before church, so Uncle Jesse could fill a pulpit, then on to another city.
         Aunt Grace and Uncle Jesse were 20 years older than my mother, Jane, a rural area school teacher. A farmer and his wife allowed mother and my brother to live in a tiny house located on their farm and close to the school. There was no one to watch me during the day, so I stayed with my aunt and uncle. On holidays and weekends, my mother and brother traveled by bus to visit. People did what they had to do in those days.
         Praise God! I had the best of all worlds. My Aunt Grace and Uncle Jesse allowed me to hand out hymnals and recite from the Bible at church services from age two until I was old enough to live with my mother and attend school. Mother was always pleased that I loved my aunt and uncle like parents. She loved them that way, too. They encouraged her, just as they encouraged me in my service to others.  They made it clear that even though I might sit in the back seat of the car, I was still on God’s team.
         I could always be found on the front pew, so I could see Uncle Jesse in the pulpit. Many times I would notice a white light above his head and always above my Aunt Grace. My child’s heart accepted this light as being from God since I only saw it when I was in a church. I truly believe that this halo was God’s grace upon their lives. They were always helping others even though they, themselves, had very little.  As an adult, I now wonder how many children experience these types of things with the people in their lives today... probably more than we realize.
         While head of the local school system, Uncle Jesse completed his seminary work and was ordained. He used the next 25 years helping the less fortunate and started the first school milk program for children in Texas. Once he retired, at age 69, he and my aunt opened the first senior nutritional center and mini-bus program in Tyler County. For the next 10 years, they cooked for the “elderly.”
         They taught me, by example, about loving and giving. At age three, it is said that they found me searching through the closets and the drawers. When asked what I was doing, they say that my words were: “looking for God.” My Aunt Grace had a daily ongoing conversation with God. I knew that He was somewhere in the house. I just wanted to talk to Him, too.
         I can still remember my Uncle Jesse’s words: “nothing good can ever be accomplished without the hand of Jesus Christ upon it.” He and my Aunt Grace allowed me to grow in my faith. I even thought that I was assistant pastor until I was five. Imagine my surprise when I went to live with my mother and brother on a full-time basis! I give God all the Glory that everyone in my life has been an encouragement to walk the higher road and find the narrow gate.
         I am sure that if you sat down and listed all the blessings you have received from God, there would be so many that you would run out of paper.  Isn't it wonderful that the pages of the Book of Life never end!
        One of my greatest blessings has been that my mother, Jane, joined me constantly as I ministered to the forgotten of the world. Although she is in heaven now, we are still best friends. There are days when I know, without a doubt, that she is with me.  Friendship and love never end -- even when Jesus takes your hand and leads you home.  Everyone's life stands for something, and her walk on this earth reflected loving others more than herself.  There are no words to express my gratitude that God gave me a mother who taught me all about loving His Children.   I only pray that I live my life so that, one day, someone will feel that they are closer to our Lord and Savior because of how I traveled my road and through my service to others.
         May the Blood of Jesus Christ be upon your life, and may His Living Water nourish your soul all of your days.
                              Yours in Christ… Carole