Hometown Rankin - June & July 2017

Camille Anding
The Time Coin
The church grounds were still
shaded by the giant oaks decked
in Spanish moss. The peaceful
bay still rippled along the street that circled
the property, but the newly constructed
worship center dwarfed the original
building that Dan and Evelyn had called
their church home so many years ago.
This day was their yearly visit with the Kratts. Evelyn could hardly
contain her excitement.
The visiting couple pulled into a crowded parking lot and found a
single, vacant visitor’s spot. They waited in the welcome center for
familiar faces and saw a large-framed gentleman, slightly stooped,
walk through the corridor. The years had etched into his frame and
face, but they remembered his servant heart when he worked with
the youth. Dan greeted him and their old friend sorted through the
hundreds of former military families he had known, and he recalled
Dan and Evelyn’s friendships. His broad, contagious smile was the same
that the couple remembered almost forty years ago.
In the midst of their conversation, Mr. Kratt’s kind face caught their
attention as he made his way toward the visitors. Their dear friend
who had provided affordable rent along with godly mentoring in the
couple’s first year of marriage was still smiling and involved in his
church ministry. His ninety-two years weren’t a crutch or excuse but
a reason to give thanks to God.
His eyes still twinkled when he smiled,
and his gentle voice brought back a tidal wave
of wonderful, loving memories. The foyer
traffic was picking up as the first service
emptied through the large doors, but their
reunion wasn’t hampered. They talked about
their families and listened as he shared about
his and the new church facilities.
Mrs. Kratt soon joined them, and their fellowship was sweet
and amazingly close to where Dan and Evelyn had left off a year ago.
As the sanctuary music reminded them of the worship hour, they
followed the elderly couple into the worship center. Mr. Kratt’s steps
were slower, and time was attacking his body, but it hadn’t made a dent
in his spirit. Evelyn’s heart hurt to see how the years were aging his
once-strong frame, but she rejoiced that his faithfulness and servant
heart were continuing to flourish.
As they stood to sing hymns of praise, Evelyn looked to her left at
this ninety-two-year-old friend and his sweet wife. She looked in front
to see a young couple – military looking – a lot like she and Dan were
almost four decades ago. Now, Dan and Evelyn were close to the age
of the Kratts when they first met.
Time is fleeting, “like a snowflake on a river.” It marches on
– sometimes runs, seldom crawls, but it’s always moving. As the hymn
of praise made heavenly background music, Evelyn whispered a prayer
from Psalms: “Lord, teach us to number our days that we may gain a
heart of wisdom.” n
114 • June 2017