It was in the early seventies when I was just sixteen
Not a child nor adult but somewhere in-between.
I longed for something to fill the empty void inside
but found no satisfaction in anything I tried.
The emptiness grew with each passing day
I was looking for meaning but in the wrong way.
The search took me places I knew were not right
But I wanted that peace that was just beyond sight.
You opened your home and you welcomed us in
Outwardly carefree but deeply searching within
You told of this JESUS, the one and the only
Who came bringing joy and peace to the lonely.
You spoke of HIM fondly. You called HIM a friend.
You told how HE loved us and our lives HE would mend.
As we heard how HE’d walked beside you these years
Sharing the laughter and gently wiping your tears.
We came to believe that this JESUS of old
Was just as alive now as in the stories you told
That HE still had the power to change lives today
If we’d simply trust HIM HE would show us the way.
It’s been forty years since those days long ago
When you opened your home and loved us all so.
The gift that you gave, we could never repay
You only asked that we give it to another one day.
Well, from that day to this the message remains
With HIS SPIRIT inside me HE never has changed.
I’ve opened my home and told the story I heard
At your kitchen table as we studied HIS Word.
I thank GOD every day for the lessons HE taught
How HE equipped us for battles HE knew would be fought.
HE knew that HIS message was safe in your care
As throughout the years many soldiers you’d prepare.
I thank GOD that the message still lives in my life
I trust HIM to walk with me through storms and through strife.
You obediently held out your arms in those days
Now I continue the teaching in my own unique way.
Thank you for being a teacher and friend
For teaching us then of a life without end.
I’ll think of you often and thank the FATHER above
For lending me you to demonstrate HIS great love.
