Anna Mae Jones

There is a sense that a chapter in my life has just ended. I heard today that Anna Mae Jones passed away. I don't need to know anymore about the circumstances surrounding her death to feel a profound sense that nothing will ever be the same again. Anna Mae always had a hug a kiss and an encouaging word for me. When someon is always friendly and always positive it's almost impossible to believe that they are not hiding something. It just doesn't seem possible that anyone could be as positive and as generous as Anna Mae was.

For twelve years I was nourished by her hugs, kisses and glowing praise at the rear of the sanctuary. I was refreshed everytime that she told me she loved me and all the times that she said that she was thankful to God for me and the sermons that I preached. I received her words with a healthy measure of skepticism. I thought it was wise not to take her too seriously. I always reminded myself that it was Anna Mae who was dishing out the praise and affection. After all, If I had stood in front of the Congregation and read the phone book to them, she would have commented about how expressively I had read it.

In spite of my skepticism, I am brushing the tears off of my cheek as I key these words in to my computer. It wasn't just harmless for me and everyone who knew her to indulge Anna Mae and tell her how much her words meant to us. Now I know we were telling the truth. Those words and those hugs and kisses will be missed. Anna Mae lived out God's unconditional love for me in the narthex after church. I know that she is experiencing that kind of love at acceptance in the presence of God. Thank You God for Anna Mae Jones.