Faithful Servants

This poem was created and read by me at our farewell retirement party for Paul and Karen Butterfield and their 35 years of service to the Lord at Trinity Baptist Church on June 10th, 2012. 

Paul and Karen as the Anchors of the Lord’s Work

     Rocks not easily shaken.

Not a day has gone by at Trinty Baptist where the work of Karen and Paul has not been seen.

From the times of washing the windows

To the removal of coffee stains from the floor.

To the movement of chairs across the sanctuary

To the Tables of communion

To the times of worship

  From a far and up close.

Of countless chats with God to keep us in line and in tow

For His great plan.

From the prayers in the quiet of your temple

   To the unseen hurts and seen praise.

And for your time at the game night and  potluck

  Of your unknown Zenga skill

  Which knocked down my elaborate towers

   That skill which continues to build the kingdom and

    Challenge me to live a better life.

     Now for the rematch!

    But from which you have a steady hand.

    Guiding His people into the truth and the life.

From the right hand corner of the choir .

   The gentle voice of your love for Jesus.

And now you will be able to rest at night

   Without the call of “Hey Paul, a leaky valve”

 

Karen for your gentleness

  To repair the lives of broken women

   To shepherd them and to guide them in the way everlasting.

     And for your Courage as you faced your frailty and let God bring you back to life.

      And you being a lighthouse to us and to Fairfield Grace

      Of your beacon that never died or given up.

   May your words and your meditations be pleasing in His sight

   May you grow the kingdom of God in South Carolina

   May it echo and reverberate up North.

    And to the South and the East and the West.

As the sun begins to set on your time up North.

 May the Lord bless you this year into your new season.

   May you see your family grow deep in the love of the Lord.

Establishing deep roots in the Almighty!!

May you hear our call of the Kingdom for wherever you go!!

And may you continue to keep us in your prayers.

For our God is an awesome God!!!