Tuesday August 20, 2013
Leroy Brown (not
the “bad, bad Leroy Brown” Jim Croce sang about in the 70’s) was a wonderful
man. I served with Leroy at a church in
Jacksonville Florida in the 1990’s. He
was in his late 80’s then.
Leroy was a
combination teacher/carpenter. He put
things together to make up for starving on a teacher’s salary. As a church leader he always brought a sense
of reason and prayer to every situation.
He was also a member of the choir, and he loved praising God with music more
than most people love their children.
The passion
that Leroy had for music blessed and annoyed people…he always had a tune going…mostly
lyrics written before the Great Depression.
He would sing some obscure, long-forgotten song at the drop of a hat. It was always an interesting time when you
rode with Leroy Brown. We once went to the Seafarer’s Ministry at Jacksonville
Port to speak with the international crews.
Leroy was still singing when I dropped him back at the house.
One Sunday
after church, Leroy made some vegetables from the garden he still worked at nearly
90 years old. He served that lunch to
Iris, his dear wife, who could barely walk due to age and arthritis. After lunch Leroy took the time to make sure
Iris was comfortable, wrapping a blanket around her cold feet, and then kissing
her, as he went to lie down for a little nap. It was the end of another day of serving others.
That next
morning Iris couldn’t wake her man; it was a glorious morning as Leroy joined children
of God around the throne to praise Jesus for the first time in person.
Leroy’s love of
music didn’t stop at singing other people’s songs; he also wrote from the
center of all that passion for Christ.
This was the hymn we sang, written by “good, good Leroy Brown” at his
homegoing service; he called it,
My
Redemption Story
I wandered in darkness, alone and bewildered,
Not knowing that God loved a sinner like me.
A loving friend told me how God’s love so tender
Brought Christ down from heaven to justify me.
Chorus
He lived here
to love me; He died there to save me.
He justified me
when He rose from the tomb.
I know I shall
see Him one glorious morning
When all of His children are gathering
home.
Like sunlight at midday a light of His Spirit
Shone into my heart and convinced me of sin.
I fell down before him, cried out for mercy;
I gave him my heart and he cleansed it from sin.
My burden was lifted, gave peace beyond measure,
And joy that no mortal could e’er comprehend.
I praise Him forever, my Lord and my Master,
My Saviour, Redeemer, Compassionate Friend.
Hear my lost brother, my poor wayward brother,
Won’t you trust Jesus as your Saviour too?
He’s pleading in heaven beside God, the Father,
New life everlasting he offers to you.
I know Mr.
Brown will be writing new lyrics for Jesus for a long time. One of these glorious mornings I will get to
hear some of the new stuff!
What if it were today?
What are you doing
today?
And, at the end
of this day, if you saw Jesus face to face, will it be like Leroy Brown, who took
his cue from Jesus to serve, rather than take, from this life?
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