When the beloved of God need to be refreshed in their spirits, our Lord often sends another believer into their lives — and at just the right moment.
Don KirklandChris Murrell, the minister of music at Berea First Baptist Church in Greenville, can testify to God’s timing and his provision for one of his children who needed a lift at Christmas.
For Murrell, it was one of the busiest times of the year. He was caught up in preparation for the 32nd annual production of Berea’s Living Christmas Tree. This was his 11th time to direct the popular seasonal production.
With the musical’s opening approaching, Murrell joined the church staff for its annual Christmas luncheon. Before leaving the office, though, he listened to a phone message. It was from his first cousin, Tony Rogers of Easley.
Rogers and his wife had been cleaning out the home of his father, who had recently died. Rogers had found some “very old things” that he was sure his cousin would want to have.
Murrell could not imagine what they were.
Returning from the staff luncheon, Murrell found in the church office a Christmas bag meant for him — from Rogers.
It contained ceramics made by his mother, Fay Murrell, who died in 2003.
“In the late 1980s,” Murrell told the Courier, “when making ceramics was such a craze, my mom spent many hours in a friend’s garage making all kinds of things for the home. I especially remember that when I was 8 years old, my brother and I helped her make a set of salt and pepper shakers with a matching sugar bowl. I still can remember the care she took and the pride she felt as she cleaned, painted, fired and polished her creations.”
Her name and the year, 1968, were etched on the pieces.
He continued, “You can imagine my surprise at finding this set of ceramics in the Christmas bag and on such a special day — the day before we opened our performance of the Living Christmas Tree. That day was, as usual, one of the most hectic of the year, but I had to pause to think about my mom as I received this 42-year-old gift.”
Murrell recalled how his parents sat in the balcony at Berea First Baptist and “cheered them on” during performances of the Living Christmas Tree. “She was my biggest fan,” he said. “She suffered from a number of illnesses in her later years, but she always tried to attend as many of the performances as possible.”
He then mentioned with noticeable satisfaction: “I think she just might have been a little proud of her son.”
Berea’s music minister conducted the premier 2009 performance of the Living Christmas Tree with “renewed warmth in my heart.”
“I felt a special presence of my mom that I had not felt in many years,” he said.
Chris Murrell will tell you that we all need people who are able to refresh us as we pass along life’s way.
At this holy season and throughout the year, may joy and peace fill the lives of those sensitive and caring souls who, through their love and kindness, refresh the hearts of God’s people. They are gifts from God.