By Brenda Cannon Henley
“Sometimes we only see the results of change and do not remember the brave path it took to get there.”
There have been three things that have converged in my mind over the past few days that brought me to this column. I jot down my thoughts as I think them, or enough of them to remember the main thrust. As due dates approach, I type those thoughts out for two up and running newspapers and 13 or 14 magazines, along with free lance work from other sources. I have been writing a weekly column for more than 50 years.

The first convergent was an illustration my son used in a recent sermon. He was speaking about availability and recounted an illustration my pastor used half a century ago.

The second was the strong memory a young woman speaker brought when she addressed a very mixed group of ladies and bragged non-stop about her good, nearly perfect family, life, and testimony. I will never forget what my boss, Dr. John R. Rice, leaned over and whispered to me as she spoke.

And, thirdly, and perhaps most significantly, was the arrogant and completely unbecoming behavior of a deacon’s wife in a local church environment.

Let me state early on, “I am usually for the underdog,” because many times, I have felt that was my role to play. I did not have the joy of being reared in a Christian home.

I, along with my brothers and sister, did not go to church unless my grandmother intercepted some terrible behavior and took us for the weekend. When I was 17, she saw to it that I went to Christian camp where I heard the gospel message, realized I was lost, had a remarkable counselor, and trusted Christ for my personal salvation.

My heart was and is thrilled when I realized God does not play favorites. He does not love one person more than another. We are all important to Him. Guess how I was able to learn, help, serve, reach others, teach, witness, and write for more than 50 years now?

I believed my preacher when he said if we would make ourselves available to God, He would use us. My son’s illustration asked the congregation if they had ever used the sole of a shoe to drive a nail into a wall when they had a perfectly good hammer in the tool box. Almost every hand went up to say yes. Availability.

The second “great awakening” I had concerning this matter was when the young college graduate pranced up to the podium in all her finery to deliver a practically useless message to a room of hurting and desperate women from several states. Some were heartbroken, devastated, and hopeless.

She proudly chose her text:

“The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” (Psalm 16:6)

She went on to brag for 35 minutes about what a good life she had always lived, what an amazing family she had, and how her future was so bright it almost hurt our eyes. Folks, a good testimony of God’s rich blessing is wonderful and to be praised, but the available time to choose that line of thought is most important. These women were not ready for that type of message.

And thirdly, because we traveled to churches across this nation and to some foreign countries for more than 20 years organizing large Bible conferences and evangelical meetings, I have seen much in the arena of Christian work. Do you know what hurts this work the most? Christians that look down their noses at other people, feel that their availability has made them special, or that they have become better than others. They often gossip, carry half truths in order to make themselves look good, and are envious and hurtful.

Availability is important, but remember to use it wisely and well. Gratitude and an humble attitude are two helpful tools. Dr. Rice often told his staff, “Remember to keep the main thing the main thing.” Don’t stop doing or behaving wisely when you have become successful in your field. God blesses an humble spirit, but dislikes a haughty attitude.

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

[Nov-9-2021]