Hanging on the walls of my office are some very important mementos, but one of my favorites is an old offering bag. It’s the kind that has a clothe pouch and the two wood handles on it. It was given to me as a gift from a very special group of people: the folks from the first church I pastored.
The church was called Faith Chapel. It was in Glendale, Arizona. And in the three and a half years I was there, I learned more than in all my years of Bible College and seminary multiplied by 100. I learned especially about being faithful and generous.
Regularly at Faith Chapel we would make various needs of the congregation known, and always, always, ALWAYS the needs would be met. There was an incredible spirit of generosity in that church!
On the last Sunday I was at Faith Chapel, the people gave me one of the offering bags to serve as a reminder to trust God to meet needs wherever I went. But the offering bag also serves as a reminder to me of a man named Al Lira.
Brother Al was the head usher at Faith Chapel. He was one of the most faithful people I’ve ever known. In fact, when we would take one of those special offerings mentioned above, it was Al who would stand at the exit holding an offering bag (in fact, the very one that’s on my office wall) until the last person made their way out. Then humbly Al would finish his duties (which included straightening things up, turning lights off, and locking up). Always smiling and always waiting for me, graciously he would thank me and wish me a blessed afternoon. Al kind of stuttered a little when he talked, but I understood every word from the heart of this precious man.
One Sunday as we were walking out Al asked,
“Pastor, have you ever been to La Perla Restaurant?”
“No Al,” I answered. He proceeded to invite me to what would become a regular get-together for he and I in the old downtown part of Glendale. As we met and talked during those times, I learned that Al’s wife had died some time ago and how much he loved her and missed her. Al told me how some of his children had fallen away and gotten into trouble. He told me about his doctor’s report and how his health was failing. We prayed together.
But my heart was most endeared to Al Lira by what he said to me as we walked out to our cars,
“Pastor, I want to thank you for letting me serve at the church. It really means a lot to me.”
My throat was dry and a big lump was forming. I realized I was with a true giant in the faith. Al Lira was a man who served with gladness, who wanted nothing in return, and who loved God and God’s people more sincerely then most I’ve ever known.
I know faithfulness doesn’t have to look like Al Lira, but I firmly believe it ought be done with the same spirit. Being faithful in small things, while also being grateful for them. Seeing every person and task as valuable and worthy of your time. Not only getting things done, but doing them with the right spirit.
If you’re ever are in the old part of Glendale, Arizona, go the La Perla Restaurant. You will you enjoy some of the best Mexican food ever, but you’ll also be in a place that one of the true legends in God’s kingdom used to eat with his pastor.
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