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Looking Back, I Can See The Stepping Stones

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Jared Meredith

First of all, I apologize for the poor quality of the photos above. These were taken a few years ago before digital cameras were beyond 5 megapixels. Let us narrate the photos: what you are seeing is me (in orange playing bass) and two others on the right playing music with the three on the left. The funny story about this day is that we were asked to come and play but we were not informed of the set until the moment was literally happening. Actually we were only told the key and the name of the song. Fun stuff!

What I want to make sure I bring out before we go on is that this was during the first few critical weeks of my recovery and there were people keeping me busy in the Lord for sure! As I recall the experiences (as well as many others similar to this with these guys) it brings back good feelings and provokes a thought in my spirit.

Looking back, I can see the stepping stones:

1) This was an investment of someones time to give me an opportunity to enrich my life.

I spend a lot of time now working with other people to learn music and to sing, mentoring young ministers, providing counsel, singing and preaching at revivals, studying for the word, blogging as much as I can, the list goes on and on. And when I consider the wealth of blessings and gifts God has given me to work in I know that it was not just for my benefit alone; for it was to invest in people that need an opportunity for change through Christ!

2) The investment in my life was selfless with no desire to have a return or reward.

If you asked these guys today I would be certain that the responses may differ a bit as to “Why did you do it?”, but there is one central theme all mentors have: they want their proteges to grow. Without great coaching and support in your initial steps your ministry can stop as quick as it stops. I want to take this moment to thank people like these two that have been all around me!

3) Without these investments I do not know where I would be.

If I could encourage you do to anything (regardless of your calling) it would be to mentor someone that needs a chance for change. I would also tell you that you may not get anything immediately from the person, but the blessings from God as you help others are worth more than selfish gain. And finally, if for no other reason please remember that the reason we all work in ministry is to bring others to a place in God where they can then lend a hand to another. And as we work together, we grow and sustain in life with joy abundantly!

Looking Back, I Know Why They Did It

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Jared Meredith

Looking at the picture above I can immediately remember some of the best meals that I have ever had when I was younger. This is of course during one of the days that we combined church and food to follow: Homecoming! And when I talk about homecomings, I am talking about the ones that used to be out in the fresh air with cars as tables and taking. With freshly prepared meals stretched as far as my eyes could see I always remember looking forward to eating everything there! And if I had to single something out I would say that I always looked forward to getting down to the end of the row (that is where the desserts were!). Through the next few years of growing up I began to see things differently than what I had once felt. Somehow the excitement for the food had been lessened with the attention now being drawn to the people around me.

Looking back, I now know why they did it. Yes, food is a great way to bring people together, but this gathering was about so much more than food. The efforts that people made when they would get up at the break of daylight to fix the perfect dish went beyond the worry of peoples satisfaction with the taste. I finally realized more was going on than met the eye (or the stomach). Food was the metaphor to what was behind the ingredients of what prepared it. I realize now as those days are behind me that the people that worked so hard to prepare wonderful days like that were creating one of the closest experiences we will have to heaven on earth. There was a fellowship being shown by coming together. There was a love being shown to all who would come. Everyone could come and dine as they were. The more I think about this now I now know beyond all doubt that homecoming was not only about the message of fellowship and reunion but also showing the message of salvation through those dishes. That may be a laugh to some people out there but I will forever remember all the wonderful people who always worked so hard for others even when they received little or nothing in return for their efforts.

If I could do anything now, I wish that I could have not just lived in the moment so much and saw the bigger picture. There is simply never enough gratitude for all the small things that are done behind the scenes that make pictures and memories like these so wonderful. I am glad to say though I may miss dining at the table with my brothers and sisters who have passed on I will get to dine with them again in a far better place than this world!

Looking Back, I Can Still Hear The Sounds

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Jared Meredith

In the picture above you see me and my sister singing (and cheating by reading off the page too!) at a baptism service on the lake bank. There is no more precious of a moment to share with your brothers and sisters in Christ than during a baptism! Nowadays in what little spare time I have I like to listen to old cassette tapes of services and practices from when we (me and Rebekah) were younger siblings. We would quite young, trying to find a part for harmony with our mother and her two sisters, all the while that our pops was coaching us to ‘get up to the mic’ and to be loud.

Now, as I take a look back into time, I now realize more than ever how precious it is just to sing and worship with those you love. It is not something you get to do forever, nor do you have the promise of another opportunity to do so. I try to iterate my point to our collective singing group and those we have worked with over the years but you can just never do justice the blessing you receive from sharing in the talents of God with others.

If you ever have another chance to share with your friends and family the collective talents God has given you to fellowship with then I say do it while you have the chance. So long as I have a mind and am living in this life I will always remember the days with loved ones as we rejoiced in the Lord together; for this thought is the closest thing that my mind can comprehend to how we shall all celebrate one day in that glorious heaven. There are so many I wish could read this today. To my family whom I love, thank you for encouraging the talents of God more than anything else. And glory to God for allowing me the precious chance of having a family that fears God and serves Him together (regardless of our differences and paths of life).