Eastland eBulletin 9.3.06

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Potpourri
. Remember the kid's bulletin in the foyer.
. Copies of this morning's sermon notes are in the foyer. This morning's
speaker is Cloyce Sutton.
. Tonight, Philip Mullins will be our guest speaker.
. The September calendar and duty roster are now available.

September Duties
. Transportation: S Boatright, Price
. Lord's Supper: A & H & E Sutton
. Meals: B Sheehan, M Boatright
. Deacon: M McPherson
. Usher: C Barnett
. Sound: J Norris

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An Inspiring Love Story

(Note from Reggie: The following is a reprint of an article by Bobbie Benton
published in Faith Lift, a quarterly publication edited by my niece Marsha
Norris who was a close friend of Bobbie and her husband Clark. The article
appeared in 1999. I hope you find it as touching and inspirational as I
did.)

Listen for Love
"Many waters cannot quench love." Song of Solomon 8:7

Growing up without Christian parents, I often wondered what it would be like
to live in a Christian family. In a Christian family, I fantasized, parents
would get up at the same time, and Mom would cook breakfast. But most
importantly, before Dad left for work in the morning, Mom and Dad would hug
and wish each other a good day, I thought Dad would come home for lunch, or
at least give Mom a call during the day, to remind her how much he loved
her. Then when he walked through the door after a hard day's work, they
would seek each other out and share more hugs and kisses.

But in my family, this scenario only played out IF the television was
working. The housing project in Kentucky were we lived was not the place to
go to observe healthy family living. By the time I was in high school, my
mother had developed a heavy drinking problem, and my father had deserted
her and their six children. So you see, my ideas of a stable family life
were dependant upon my imagination.

Then a Christian family took me under their wing, and the life I had only
dreamed of became a reality. Dickie and Sue Cooper were my ideal parents: so
loving and kind toward each other. Oh, how I longed to have parents who
considered each other's needs and wanted to be together. This, I decided,
was the kind of marriage I would have!

My Christian family taught me that whom I spent my time with, as a teenager
was a reflection of myself. So I was very selective about the company I kept
and rarely went out with friends. Instead, I spent most of my time in safe
places: babysitting, going to church, and worshiping. Then one day, I walked
into a friend's house and there he was: the best looking specimen of a man
that the LORD could make! Clark was tall, dark, handsome, kind, considerate,
and smart. Six months later we were married, and my prayer for a Christian
family was answered.

My husband joined the Marine Corps just days before our wedding. Clark loved
me with all his heart, and I was a princess. My own Christian family was now
a reality; I no longer had to rely on my imagination. We had two children
and my husband's career was moving on the right track. He was promoted, and
we were stationed near solid churches. Life was good!

About 12 years into our marriage, another prayer was answered. My husband
was going to attend a university of his choice and upon graduation become an
officer in the Marine Corps. He dreamed of getting his college degree, and
now it was going to happen. I had already been living my dream, but I had a
feeling things were about to change.

Clark's hours of study turned into days. These days turned into weeks. I
hardly saw him. When he was home, he was behind that "door" and not to be
disturbed. I felt my world was falling apart. What had happened to that man
who needed just me to live? What happened to that devoted father whose first
priority was the soccer game on Saturday or attending to a "honey do" job
around the house? I was confused. I spent more time in prayer. Funny isn't
it, how we reach for the Lord more often when we feel we are losing control.

Caring for my own two children and providing childcare for other mothers
pretty much kept me confined to my house. So in order to fulfill a need in
my life, I had reached out to Pat, another military wife. She was a wise
lady, and I could sense in her wisdom that I lacked. Her advice saved me, my
marriage, and my husband's sanity.

One day when I was bluer than blue, I walked over to Pat's house. More than
once I had mentioned to her how busy Clark was. I don't think that I ever
tore down his character, but I did tell her how often he used to tell me he
loved me. She said she had seen the way he looked at me; the way he was
always home when he said he would be home; and how he studied at home
instead of somewhere else or with friends. She reminded me that he never
studied on Sunday mornings or Sunday evenings-not even on Wednesday nights.
Then she told me something I will never forget. She said that if I thought
he wasn't telling me he loved me just as much as he ever did, then I JUST
WASN'T LISTENING. She taught me that as people grow they change. Situations
change. That is what life is made up of - changes. She told me that he was
screaming those soft, loving, caring words that I wanted to hear with every
aspect of his being. Maybe not so much in words, but certainly in actions.
She said I just needed to listen a little more attentively.

>From that day on, man I listened! The life I had always dreamed of living is
what I live today. We have now been married 26 years. I can only pray I have
made him as happy in those years as he has made me. I am forever trying to
give to him the things that he needs to make his dreams and wishes come
true.

I now listen with eyes, body language, and when it's appropriate, ears too!
I do give GOD the glory because without His pattern for life, we would not
have made it this far. But I also thank my friend Pat, who I know has spoken
her words of guidance to more than one young military wife. And even though
she never attended church with me when I used to invite her, I can only hope
that the seed that I tried to plant has taken root and grown. And who knows,
she just may be a Christian today.

EPILOGUE - Bobbie and her beloved Clark were aboard the plane that crashed
Sunday, August 27, 2006 in Lexington, Kentucky. I count her among the most
special friends to grace my life. During the 23 years I knew her, the
foremost thought that came to my mind about Bobbie was her deep, passionate,
and committed love for Clark. It was rare that a conversation with her did
not in some way reflect the love and admiration she held for her husband.
Bobbie also loved her children dearly and gave unselfishly and untiringly to
their care. Mary is now 23 and Richard 27. Please pray for their peace and
comfort as they sort through the grief of losing both parents at the same
time. They were a tightly knit family.

Bobbie and Clark leave quite a legacy behind as together they have traveled
to their heavenly home. But part of them will always remain in the hearts of
all who knew them - especially in the lives of Mary and Richard.

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay awhile and leave
footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."

Clark was 48 years old and Bobbie was 50. They were faithful and active
members of the Fort Logan church of Christ in Stanford. Why do the good die
young?

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