Streams of Mercy
One of my favorite things to do is to try to see in my mind’s eye the print “Glory Days”, depicting Jackson Springs years ago. I look and listen with my heart for the sounds of the glory days of Jackson Springs- the hotel bustling with guests, the sound of the train approaching the depot, the loading zone for peaches and the cotton gin storage shed.
I imagine friends and neighbors enjoying Jackson Springs Lake and folks shopping at John and Oscar Richardson’s General Store. I imagine the bank filled with customers and Whitley’s Store and Morris Hardware doing business as usual. In my mind’s eye, I see the schools – both white and black, the service station and the hatchery – all a part of the “glory days” of Jackson Springs.
In the midst of all that’s come and gone in this place through the years stands Jackson Springs Presbyterian Church, on the hill above the spring, for 202 years. Through all the changing seasons of life, from year to year, in the best of times and in the worst of time, God’s Word has been preached and taught and lived in this special place.
I wish I could have been here when the choir loft was full and when there were Sunday School classes of children and adults all over the building. I wish I could have experienced the Bible Schools and Easter Egg Hunts that drew children from all around. I wish I could have been a part of the memories shared in this special place through the years, experiencing them first-hand, rather than hearing you tell of them!
On this day in the 202nd year of ministry in this place, we find ourselves an older congregation (for the most part), and with an older pastor (for sure)! While we have the memory of all that has been in the life of this congregation and in our individual lives, we have once more the challenge to be faithful to answer God’s call in this time and place.
“For all that has been – thanks! For all that is yet to be – Yes!” (Dag Hammarskjold) Giving thanks for homecoming celebrations, for all that has been and for all that is yet to be, and for those streams of mercy, never ceasing!
Elizabeth