To a Beloved Friend

My Dear Pastor Al,

I want you to know something. I want you to know that you changed my life. It is not often that one person dramatically impacts the life of another. But, this is what you did. Not only did you change my life, you changed the lives of almost every person in that church. You were so much more than just a pastor. You were a mentor. You were a friend. You were an encourager, a leader, a helper, and so much more. Oh, Pastor Al, you made me want to be a better person. Because of you, I am a better person.

Did you even know how much you impacted me? I know I didn’t express it much. But, you made me smile. The way you carried yourself -- so happily -- made me want to be happy too. The way you got down to the level of all the kids and became a friend to them made me want to be a friend too. You weren’t threatening or intimidating as some church leaders tend to be. You were hands down the most gentle, caring, loving, encouraging, realistic, selfless person I have ever known. Yet in all of this, you took no pride. Life was never about you. I know God was well pleased with the way you followed his greatest commandments, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone follow those commands so whole-heartedly.

You radiated Jesus wherever you were. Alan Somers, you made me want to know God more. Because of you, a passion was stirred within me to seek God with everything I had. I knew if someone like you existed, it had to be because a perfect God created you. My dad used to say, “That man will preach until the day he dies.” He was right. Your passion was for God and sharing his Word. I remember when you would sit on a stool, with your weak voice, pale body, and vibrant spirit, doing the thing you devoted your life to. Even when your hair was gone and your face was thin, you showed up at that church on Sunday mornings. You are an inspiration. Part of me cannot understand how you handled the disease that took your life with such high spirits. How did you keep that beautiful smile on your face? How did you continue to love and not be bitter? But, when I find myself asking these questions, I am soon able to answer them myself. Your life was saturated with Christ. He filled every crevice of your being. Because of nail-scarred hands and an empty tomb, you were able to live with zeal until the day you went to be with your Savior forever.

I wish I had known you more than I did. I wish I had spent more time with you and appreciated you more when you were still here. But, life is not about regrets. You changed my life just by existing in it. I continue to reflect on the amazing man you were and smile. I still use words that you said as encouragement and hope to get me through the rocky roads of life. I know you weren’t perfect. But, you radiated with One who is. I never got a chance to tell you. So, now I think I will. Thank you. Thank you for the incredible man you were. Thank you for following Christ’s calling in your life. Thank you for loving through your words, your actions, and your attitude. Thank you for being there until the very end. Thank you for impacting me and everyone else who knew you. I can’t wait to walk with you on the streets of gold.

With Love,

MaryBeth Lillian

I'm supposed to write a poem for composition class.
I write a lot of poetry.
It comes very natural to me.
 Except when I'm assigned to do it.
...sigh

Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.