Influencers

Somehow in God’s providence, I was born into a family of great faith, and blessed with two parents who modeled being Jesus to others every day. My Dad, though no longer in this world, still influences my daily walk, and the kindness of my mother’s voice reminds me in every conversation to be more concerned about others than self.

Equally remarkable, I married into a family of great faith. Though neither of Vicki’s parents is still living, seldom does a day go by that somehow their faith doesn’t influence how I live. Their generous, but unassuming approach to being a follower of Jesus did not go unnoticed by me – and no doubt many others.

One of the lessons I learned early from my own parents, and quickly after I became a part of Vicki’s family, was that you ought to pay attention to people of faith who model what it means to say you love Jesus. What I have discovered in following that advice is that it is surprising how many people God places in our individual journeys of faith who, if we are paying attention, can strengthen and encourage us along the way. 

The past Saturday, Vicki and I were in Johnson City, Tennessee to attend the celebration of life for one of these “strengthening and encouraging people” in our lives, Eva Hoffman. Last fall we were there for the same kind of service for her husband Carl. Carl and Eva – Chief and MaMa – were two of God’s great gifts to us since we first met them in August, 1976,

I met Carl first. He had just retired as a Captain for Delta Airlines and I was entering my first year of teaching at what was then Atlanta Christian College. I had heard stories about this airline pilot who had purchased a seven-seat Cherokee airplane and was going to fly people from the college around and also take some classes. He was sitting on the front row of the first class I ever taught – Hermeneutics and Exegesis as it was called back then – and I was a just out of graduate school young guy who thought he knew enough to teach the class. 

It wasn’t long after that first class that Vicki and I met Eva, we were going to fly with them to a convention in Florida. That three day trip sealed the relationship and Chief and MaMa became lifelong friends – examples to a relatively young married couple who would benefit greatly by being on the inside of their lives. We spent weekends with them in Williamson, Georgia where they lived at the time. Went on countless trips in that little airplane representing ACC, and most importantly, we took advantage of their example. I was privileged to help them celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows.

When our two daughters were born, Chief and MaMa took them into their lives. Despite being 90 years old and in poor health, and having lost her husband just this past fall, our daughters still received birthday cards from MaMa in April and May of this year. So did I. And no doubt were she still among us, Vicki would have in August. 

I heard Carl speak on multiple occasions and probably attended a Sunday School Class or two that he taught. I was in a class on basic flying skills in which he was a part of the instruction team. I don’t remember that I ever heard Eva doing any official public speaking. But I learned more about life than I have time to write about this morning from just watching and paying attention. Following the lesson my parents and Vicki’s parents taught us, I was greatly blessed by Carl and Eva Hoffman. 

The Hoffmans spent several years living in Tarpon Springs, Florida. We were fortunate to visit with them a couple of times since Vicki’s parents lived in St. Petersburg. Carl had a great boat and took us out on Tampa Bay. He was as well informed and intrigued by boating as I had known him to be about flying. They were deeply involved in the church there – just like they had been everywhere they lived. 

Carl loved great music and had the stereo system to prove it. He and Vicki often had conversations about music that left me (and I think sometimes MaMa) behind. The gift of hospitality and encouragement possessed by MaMa made Carl’s life possible and together, the two of them are at the top of my list of people who have influenced my life and Vicki’s and our girls.

I had the opportunity to visit briefly with MaMa back in March. She was a cheerful and encouraging as ever despite her declining health. She wanted to know how Vicki was doing health wise, and thrilled to know how much better she was. She bragged on Sarah and her editing of the Point Magazine and wanted to know how far along Bethany was in her PhD program. She even bragged on me! I went there to encourage her. I left there encouraged. There was no litany of illness, struggle, and difficulty. I left her home reminded of what a great thing it is to pay attention to the people God places in your life.

I could list dozens of things I learned from Carl and Eva but that would miss the greater blessing. The greater blessing is presence and influence. The details are important, but not the issue. The issue is that when you were in their presence, you had the opportunity to be influenced to be more and more like Jesus.

I’ve been a bit distracted since Saturday morning just thinking about Carl and Eva, and a host of other folks whose paths crossed mine in life. I am so thankful for parents – both mine and Vicki’s – who were great influences in my life. And I am thankful that they taught me to pay attention to the people around me. 

All of this makes me wonder if this isn’t what the writer of Hebrews was thinking about when he wrote, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that, some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2) 

The providence of God is an amazing thing! Pay attention.