Blessed To Be A Blessing
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle B
Mark had loved helping out ever since he was young. When he was a teenager, his favorite activities were mowing the church lawn and assisting in the liturgy. Mowing was the best because he could take the lawn tractor out and make designs in the grass, make circles and figure-eights on the freshly cut lawn and nobody knew the difference. "His" lawn -- all twelve acres -- was his pride.
And assisting the pastor was fun for him. Mark loved singing the liturgy and reading the lessons. He was not ashamed to admit he liked the sound of his voice over the sound system. He enjoyed the looks on people's faces as he bent over and gave them the communion wine. To him it was a privilege.
Mark went to seminary and returned to his hometown whenever he could. The town was only two thousand strong, and he knew everyone and everyone's business. And they knew his. Mark's life was uncomplicated. He married his high school sweetheart; they had four children and two dogs. He loved being a pastor for two small churches and enjoyed being with the people.
When Mark became ill, he wasn't worried. He probably had eaten something that disagreed with him. But three months and fourteen tests later, the news was not good: cancer was in his abdomen and the prognosis was not promising. But Mark insisted he was not to be pitied. He underwent chemotherapy and his intern preached and visited more often, but Mark still made it to the office every day. Mark read books about bald jokes. He wrote in his journal daily. He wrote his children letters and made the most of every day.
Mark led his children to count their blessings every night before they fell asleep. He reminded them how fragile yet wonderful life is. Mark knew he was blessed. He knew God loved him through and through.
Mark died when he was just about to turn 45. His wife and children were at his side. He was sad to know he would not see them grow up, but he was happy to have had this time with them. It was hard to make them understand that while they would miss him, Mark would be in heaven.
Mark was blessed in his short life. He offered all he had to his family and friends. He was a blessing to those who knew him. He was a blessing because he had been blessed.
And assisting the pastor was fun for him. Mark loved singing the liturgy and reading the lessons. He was not ashamed to admit he liked the sound of his voice over the sound system. He enjoyed the looks on people's faces as he bent over and gave them the communion wine. To him it was a privilege.
Mark went to seminary and returned to his hometown whenever he could. The town was only two thousand strong, and he knew everyone and everyone's business. And they knew his. Mark's life was uncomplicated. He married his high school sweetheart; they had four children and two dogs. He loved being a pastor for two small churches and enjoyed being with the people.
When Mark became ill, he wasn't worried. He probably had eaten something that disagreed with him. But three months and fourteen tests later, the news was not good: cancer was in his abdomen and the prognosis was not promising. But Mark insisted he was not to be pitied. He underwent chemotherapy and his intern preached and visited more often, but Mark still made it to the office every day. Mark read books about bald jokes. He wrote in his journal daily. He wrote his children letters and made the most of every day.
Mark led his children to count their blessings every night before they fell asleep. He reminded them how fragile yet wonderful life is. Mark knew he was blessed. He knew God loved him through and through.
Mark died when he was just about to turn 45. His wife and children were at his side. He was sad to know he would not see them grow up, but he was happy to have had this time with them. It was hard to make them understand that while they would miss him, Mark would be in heaven.
Mark was blessed in his short life. He offered all he had to his family and friends. He was a blessing to those who knew him. He was a blessing because he had been blessed.
