Blessed

Dan Kessinger

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:3-8)

Today's article is different than any I have ever written. Our focus today is on a person rather than an event, subject, or Scripture. Such individual focus is occasionally justified, especially as a tool to teach us better living through example. I believe the one to whom I refer has much to teach the world in general and me in particular. I refer to Mindy Wright, and I admire her greatly.

Mindy probably has as many and as varied problems as anyone I have ever known. Her years of infirmity have taken a toll which has at once aged her body and kept her child-like; but she does not complain. Attendance in worship is a difficult physical challenge for Mindy, but, if she is absent, we know it is a problem beyond those she deals with continually. Moreover, it is clear that being in worship service is her great joy.

Most thrilling of all is Mindy's love of and hard work at studying her Bible. Mindy (with some help from her dad) always has her Bible class lesson studied and prepared. Perhaps she does not "get" all the points, but she certainly gets all she can. Mindy may not have all the tools that others have, but her dedication is unmatched.

Because of the pace, there is no way Mindy can keep up with a sermon, certainly not to read all the scriptures with the preacher. Mindy's remedy is to listen carefully, make notes of all the scripture references in her own handwriting, look them up later in the day, and meticulously read each one! The sermon which lasts forty minutes for you and me may last one hour and a half or more for Mindy. This is a love for God, and it comes from the heart of one who has been dealt harsher blows in life than I can conceive. This is a love for the Bible, and it comes from one who learns the Bible only with great effort.

Most people would not trade lives with Mindy for anything, given the great hardships she has endured. However, those same folks would probably give anything to be as prepared as she is on the day of judgment. I wonder, with all the abilities of our members, what kind of congregation would this be if everyone had a heart like Mindy Wright? -Taken from the April 23, 2000 bulletin of the Dewey Avenue Church of Christ, 701 Dewey Avenue, St. Marys, WV 26170.

(Editor's Note: Mindy's father, Charles, writes, "We have doctored (Melinda) there (Johns Hopkins Hospital) for thirty-five years and she has been a blessing to our family, even with the great responsibilities having been placed on my wife caring for her as a special child. Mindy is now thirty-nine years old and has improved quite a lot in the last three or four years. The doctors said it would take five to seven years ... for her to pick up on thought processing. We thank God she is doing very well for all she has been through. Melinda now helps the teachers in the children's classes Sunday morning and Wednesday evening services. Thank God they are so kind to her and she continues to learn also." Their address is: Charles, Martha, and Melinda Wright, 909 4th St., St. Marys, WV 26170-1101.)

 

Return to West Virginia Christian