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A chapter on June
A friend of mine is writing a book about some wonderful saints he has known – people God used to change the world. Most of these departed brethren are not humanly famous, but their positive impact continues to ripple outward. I was asked to contribute a story about one such lady, June Lininger, with whom I served at Pine Cove Camps in east Texas. June grasped and lived out Ephesians 2 as well as anyone I have known, and I contributed this story as an illustration of her gracious influence:
She taught grace in memorable ways. I lived next door to June in the old staff housing. One night, she was sitting on the porch as I came home from a very long day. I only received one day off per week in those years, and usually employed that time in resting and recharging. However, that day off I had literally run all over Tyler trying to get a car part. Shuffling weary feet down the steps toward my apartment, I looked up to see June’s piercing eyes. She said, “Drano (my camp name), come inside and have some supper. I’ve been waiting for you.” Despite the distinct impression that I was being ushered into the principal’s office, I obeyed. A delicious stew exposed that I was famished. As my stomach rumbled, it dawned that in my hurriedness I hadn’t eaten all day. An even more nourishing conversation pointed out my lack of reliance on God’s provision. Two big ideas were impressed on me as June spoke and I ate (and ate!):
- Being busy is fine, as there is much God gives us to do. Being hurried is almost always sinful, as it shows a lack of partnership with God’s Spirit and empowerment of God’s grace.
- It is not weakness to rely on God’s redeemed community. Yes, Galatians 6 says we must bear our own burdens, but the same passage says we fulfill Christ’s command by bearing each other’s burdens as well. By not letting others help me that day, I showed weakness rather than strength and robbed my neighbors of their opportunity to follow Jesus’ command and do good for me.
Obviously, those lessons stuck to my soul the way June’s stew stuck to my empty ribs.
God bless,
Wayne