A Letter to Carol Gallowitch, and Sunday School teachers everywhere

-
Dear Carol,
Forty-two years ago today you were a thirty something year old mom of four small children who'd probably dropped them off in their various Sunday School classes after the "fun" of getting a family ready for church on a Sunday morning...
And then you went, not to be ministered to, but to minister; to teach five and six year olds about Jesus.

I wouldn't be surprised if you left that morning after class and went about your day as if it were a regular Sunday, but it wasn't for me because it was that Sunday - Jan. 9, 1972 - that you told me that Jesus was knocking on my heart's door (Revelations 3:20) and you stayed after class and prayed with me because I wanted to let Him in.

I've worked with five and six year olds, prayed with them and their sweet tender hearts - never knowing if they really understood  they were doing...but that day I did.
You introduced me to the Lover of my soul. You told me He was calling my name and that if I would open the door and hear His voice, He would come into my heart - and He did and I've heard His voice now for decades as we've walked through life together.

Thank you for introducing a little girl to Jesus.
Thank you that, while you were crazy in the midst of a house full of young children, you faithfully ministered to other people's kids.
Thank you that through the entirety of my life that I've watched the example of you and Norm and seen, lived out for a lifetime, what it means to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and strength.

I know at times that I feel I've not done anything of great significance for God.  I faithfully serve in the opportunities He presents - to sing, or teach, or encourage but I've never done anything huge - maybe you have (because I don't want to say you haven't!) but what I've watched is your consistent love - singing, serving, opening your home to people constantly, praying for and with those you love - and as a result of your faithfulness you gave me the most important relationship of my life and I am and will continue to be eternally grateful.
Love, Becky

Comments

Anonymous said…
Agree, and I remember your dad. He was a loving SS teacher. - Rob McIlwaine
January 9, 2014 at 8:08 AM
Hal Smith said…
A wonderful testimony to a great Christian couple.
January 10, 2014 at 11:50 AM
Steve Schroeder said…
You said it so well, she took time to love others and to point them to Christ even when she was busy with her own life. This was the reflection of Christ in her, the reality of who aunt Carol was. We will miss her dearly.
April 20, 2023 at 10:30 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Friends

-
2008 has been such a relational year so far for me. I set up a Facebook account and from there discovered high school and college friends and even kids I used to baby-sit who now have growing families of their own. It’s been a time of reconnecting to people I never knew I’d have contact with again and it’s been interesting to see how we are the same people today that we were twenty years ago; only a little more worn out from use! When I was a child, I remember hearing in a sermon that in your life you will be lucky if you can count the number of true friends you have on one hand. That was preposterous to me! One hand? Five friends? I had way more than five friends! Of course I didn’t have the perspective at twelve that I do now. Now I understand. My definition of friend has matured with my years and I am so blessed by those “friends” who have matured along with my definition. Is there any thing in this world as amazing as a friend? One with whom you can open your soul and know they are...
Read more

Safe

-
My daughter came stumbling into our room at 4 a.m. “I had a bad dream”, she said as she crawled into bed. Did she want to talk about it? An immediate, adamant “No!” Ten minutes she was sound asleep safe in her dad’s arms. Safe When she experienced this bad thing she went to where she would feel safe. Later in the morning she told me about her bad dream and it wasn’t as scary to her in the 7 am brightness as it had been in the dark. Could we have explained that it wasn’t that bad and just a dream to her in the middle of the night? Not a chance, at that point she just needed to feel surrounded and protected. When trouble comes, overwhelming troubles like the constant crashing of waves on the seashore, where do you go to be safe? I wrap myself in scripture and claim the promises that God is… a refuge and help in time of need (Psalms 46) the Shepherd who supplies my needs and walks with me through the valleys (Psalms 23) the God who knows the way that I am taking (Job 23) who delights in e...
Read more

To skate or not to skate

-
Image
"It's just like riding a bike" I assured my daughter as we were lacing up our ice skates. "Don't worry, you'll remember how to do it." And so we clumped our way onto the ice and as she shakily pushed off  I realized unsteadily that my skates were way too loose. Clump, clump back to the bench. Untie, uncleat, pull the laces tight starting from the bottom, rezigzag through the clips, clump, clump back to the ice. Then I found that I was absolutely wrong. This was so NOT like riding a bike as I grabbed for the side of the rink. Tentatively I tried stimulate that muscle memory of how skating works and found my muscles were suffering from Alzheimer's! Perhaps it was from the lack of blood flow to my feet as the laces were now a fantastic tourniquet! Back to the bench, back to the ice to give to all the impression that I was a total novice. As I (so not!) glided around the rink I was incredulous! As a child living in faculty housing of Northland Inte...
Read more