As I sit down to the computer this morning to write my “meditations” I am filled with lots of joy, lots of anxiety, lots of memories! Please allow me some reflection.
Last week, I shared at the service of celebration for one of our church members, Burt Russell, the words of Jesus from John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd.” What a celebration we had together, to share the honor of remembering not only the life of our friend, but to share the love that Jesus, our “good Shepherd”, has for us. This time was even more special for me to be honored with two of my mentors in ministry, the Reverends Henderson Rasberry and Nick Nicholson assisting in the service of celebration. Oh, to know the joy that comes from knowing the good shepherd and to know that he knows his own!
And, then this morning as I read the obituaries in the daily newspaper (a ritual I’ve become more attentive to the older I get) my soul responded to the upcoming celebration of life for Rev. W.W. “Bill” Watkins, another mentor. You see, when I came back to Mississippi from seminary in Atlanta at Emory University, I was appointed to Edwards United Methodist Church. My District Superintendent was Bill Watkins. Along with his wife, Meta, we became very close and special friends. I’ll never forget the day Bill and Meta took some young single preachers into their home on New Year’s Day to watch football games. While we were there, Bill began to share his dream of opening a place in Vicksburg for children in underprivileged situations. So in 1986, “The Good Shepherd” community center was developed.
But, there is more to today for me. As I reflect upon the lives of these two special men and the mentors who have helped to shepherd my life I am forever mindful that today, May 26, 2010 is the third anniversary of the celebration of life for my own daddy, Rev. H. J. Hedgepeth. He was more than just a father; he was a “Daddy!” He too shepherded me through life. He knew me! He loved me! And, taught me how to love! He was a ‘good shepherd’ who shared the love of the “Good Shepherd” Jesus Christ with me, all of our family and all of his flock through the years of ministry!
Yep, THE GOOD SHEPHERD is pretty significant in my life!!!
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep…I know my sheep, and am known by My own” (John 10:11, 14).
