The morning before my oldest son graduated from high school I was feeling both excitement for him and anxiety. I sought to settle my mind on God’s presence and the image that came to my mind was one that I had not seen for many years but had seen almost every Sunday growing up. I thought of the portrait of Jesus that hangs above the stage in the fellowship hall of my childhood church, First Lutheran. If you ever have the opportunity to go inside the church, there are two things that are sure to get your attention- the stained glass windows depicting the life of Jesus from His Birth to His Ascension and the Jesus portrait that hangs above the heavy green velvet stage curtains we loved to hide behind as kids.
Last May as my son walked the stage at graduation, he and I were both moving into a new stage of life. That portrait of Jesus reminded me that neither of us would walk that next stage alone. Jesus was with us. Recently I had the privilege of seeing that Jesus portrait above the stage when I attended the funeral of a close family friend. I heard that day numerous accounts of how Frank Brown had walked each stage of his life as an example of what it meant to be a godly husband, father, church leader and friend. Frank Brown was a man who lived out his life looking to Jesus and living out his faith on life’s stage.
I encourage you to live out your life for Jesus in whatever stage of life you are in and on whatever stage of life He has placed you. Remember- He is with us! Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus
–
Laurie Stroud
