A few days ago I was going through some things from my Grandparents, and I found an article on my Grandfather that was printed in a newspaper.  I am not sure when the article was printed but it was entitled "These interesting people".  In this article my Grandfather whose name was "Foots" Mathis, tells a story that we all can probably relate to at some time of our lives.  The story is as follows.

 

 "Listen to the Deacon".

 

"We had this this old fellow come to work for us at the sawmill.  He wasn't too smart or I didn't think so at the time.  You had to tell him what to do and give him one job at the time. But, I guess he made the biggest impression on me of anyone I've ever met.

 

It was in the 1940's and things were booming at my sawmill.  Things were really looking up.  I was able to pay off some debts and I was putting a little money in the bank.  I had been elected a deacon in the Baptist church here in Twin City and things were for the first time in my life looking good.

 

It was a hot summer's day and something had broken at the sawmill so I climbed in the hole and went to work with a wrench and pliers.  Sweat rolled off of me and I was trying as hard as I could but nothing was going right down in that hole and I said something I shouldn't have.

 

And that's when this old sawmill worker put his hands on his hip's and started walking around the hole repeating, listen to the deacon, just listen to the deacon.

 

That statement cooked me.  I even heard it in my sleep that night.  "Listen to the deacon"

 

From that old sawmill worker I learned one of the greatest lessons of my life.  I had to be what I was supposed to be at all times, in all places, and under all circumstances."

 

We must always remember that no matter what we are doing or where we are that we are always being watched.  We can not be a Christian just on Sunday we must be a Christian every hour of every day. 

 

In Christ,

 

Bill Mathis Jr.