By Brenda Cannon Henley
Many years ago, I was called on to present a training class for teachers. I was a young wife and mother, and a staff member of a very large and, consistently growing church. My heart’s desire was to do a good job, be led by the Lord, not waste my time or the time of the attendees, and to impart ideas, illustrations, and inspiration that would be used in every Sunday school class and children’s church occupying three campuses.

I wanted to make the Bible stories come alive and become meaningful, not only to the students that would hear them, but also to the teachers that would be presenting them. I prayed and prayed and sought wisdom. The Bible is a big book and I had lots from which to choose.

As I studied, I remembered an old adage that I heard Zig Ziglar quote in one of his seminars. I do not know if the statement was original to Zig or not. He came to our church often and spoke because of our location and the size of our various buildings. I admired Zig then and I admire him now. He was an honest man and had a genuine love for his hearers.

He had said, “Remember to keep your message simple if you want it to be heard and put into practice by your hearers.” Later, he mentioned the acronym, KISS, “Keep it simple, stupid.”

I didn’t much care for calling people “stupid,” but the thought stuck in my mind. Many years later, my employer, Dr. John Rice, advised all of our staff to “keep all the cookies on the bottom shelf so everyone can get to them.” He had been unhappy with some of our conference speakers that had come across as too professional and delivered sermons that many of our guests could not relate to in the least.

I rethought my plans for the classes and made a conscious decision that I was not going into the training with an attempt to impress the teachers with what I knew, but instead with what God had said.

I toned down each lesson, used basic illustrations made from items most likely already in the teacher’s home or office, and truly made the Word of God key in each presentation.

As I was in the midst of relocating to my new home in sunny Florida last week, I stumbled upon one of those old stories from years back. And, I could not help but think that God was right on time once again. I had been facing some doubts and fears. I love Texas. It has been good to me. I really wasn’t sure I wanted to move to the Sunshine State and leave my trusted friends.

The story God let me find was centered on an old worn pair of gloves. I had the teachers trace their open hands on a piece of paper and print the following ten words on the ten fingers of the two hands – “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.” (Psalm 56:3)

That verse and that old Bible lesson brought comfort to my heart, soul, and mind, as I dutifully packed my belongings for a gigantic move across several states. Please don’t be so asinine as to say that you have no fears. We all do. They may be different, but they are there in each of our lives. For some, it may be acceptance, health issues for yourself or others, finances, children, employment, a soured relationship, where to live, or any myriad of other situations. Try to remember, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee,” and envision each word on the tip of your finger.

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at (409) 781-8788, or
[email protected]

[2-25-2019]