BREAKING PROTOCOL
-Our Journey of Sunflowers and Rainbows-
This featured contribution is from Susan C. Pippin
It is true that we never realize how precious moments are until we look back years later.
Reading Angie Jennings’ “Breaking Protocol” about her granddaughter Abbie’s recital took me back to when Rachel, Angie’s daughter, wanted to learn to play the piano. I remember Rachel trying so hard to place those little fingers in the correct position on the keys. Wouldn’t it have been just like God to have had a piano waiting for her in Heaven?
Well, His Word tells us that “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
However, as much as we love remembering those sweet memories of Rachel, I want to focus on Angie this time. Jeff and Angie, as many of you know, were our Youth Pastors in Keystone Heights. Angie had a gift of discernment, sensitivity, and perceptiveness, among other qualities. For instance, she would always notice when someone was feeling down and would offer a comforting word or a listening ear.
As many of you know, pastoring can have some challenging times, and Angie always sensed when I was walking through those times. Whether it was a personal struggle or a church crisis, she was there to offer her support. One ‘NIGHT,’ she called me and said, ‘Let’s go for coffee.’ If you know or are familiar with Keystone Heights, everything closed up at dark. However, what is better than a good cup of coffee with a special friend?
So off we went. About 45 minutes later, we were walking into a coffee shop on the streets of Gainesville close to midnight. Of course, Gainesville, being a college town, was buzzing. We laughed, had a fun night, and we made unforgettable memories.
Working alongside someone for almost seventeen years yields numerous experiences and memories. Why does the Gainesville coffee shop linger so clearly in my memory? It’s because in those difficult times, knowing that someone sees and cares, like Angie did, will be imprinted on the heart. And it is imprinted on my heart!
Angie, your actions have exemplified the greatest gift, which is love. Love is not just a word but a series of actions that show care and support. Your love, expressed through your actions, has been a light to many and still is. Thank you for those times. Your love was so evident because you acted on it.
“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25
Love you Angie
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