He shall be called ‘Buddie’…
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Have you ever had a question that simply bugged you and you had no idea about where to find the? answer. My mom and dad gave me a perfectly good name, Lawrence Everett Martin. It may be a bit high sounding but that makes no mind. Actually my older sister and me were both named after my dad. His name was Lawrence Bert Martin. Bertie inherited the ‘Bert’ part of his name. I got the ‘Lawrence’. So for the question — ‘How in the world did I ever come to be called Buddy?’ Nothing very majestic about that name. Think about it. It even sounds like ‘Bubba’ or ‘Boudreaux’.
Aha!! I found out last week where ‘Buddy’ came from. My oldest sister has a collection of writings that she had to do for her English. (Many, many years ago.) Reading one of her papers, I saw it. Bertie was writing about ‘My Favorite Relative.’ In this case it was our younger sister, Julia. In her last paragraph, she wrote…
“She [Julia] talks a lot, and most of the time she imitates what one of us say. She calls me ‘Sister’ and calls my brother ‘Buddie.’ I think she is sweet and I do not think any other girl or boy is as lucky as I am to have such a sweet sister.”
So that is where the moniker came from. Julia had a problem pronouncing her r’s. And so ‘Buddy’? stuck. Actually few people know my real name. (‘L. E.’ was also a name tagged on me. But it pretty much disappeared over time.)
So much for he shall be called Buddie. Betty and I got to set in on the Wednesday evening service via the computer. I remain awed at Nathan’s ability to weave a ministry to such perfection. He stirred up these old bones.
Only thing I missed had to do with after the prayer requests. We couldn’t hear what the requests were so the computer was turned off. What I found out is that Johnny Barkdull addressed some very precious comments to myself as he looked at the camera. Nathan said there was weeping in the congregation. He is? going to get me a copy of what Johnny shared. Johnny has the heart of a true disciple. He is such a humble person.
I had a hard time getting to sleep last evening. No pain. Simply a case of the racing mind. After getting up for a time of devotion, I decided to sleep in another bedroom so as not to disturb Betty. My lady is such a jewel. Its bad enough when I toss and turn, but she has to live through all of this turning. Do you think she would offer a complaint or two? Never. My wife is the most generous, caring, and loving? person that I have ever known. I well remember the first time I looked into Betty’s blue eyes — My toes began to curl and I knew I had been captured.? :)? (Forty-three years of blessed captivity.)
Today I went for my blood test and then we met our children at El Chico’s. It has been our custom for a good while to have lunch together on Thursdays. It is always such a pleasant time when just you and your family can sit down to a? meal together. Not that we don’t enjoy a meal with others — There are just some times when you only need your family to be present.
El Chico has a very interesting young manager. His heritage is Lebanese Christian. He spend a good while visiting with us. Found out that he was in Lebanon during the? war. Anyway,? we clicked off right away. He give me his word that he would be in Church with us this Sunday. (His mom is nondenominational Christian from West Monroe.)
Let’s see — What else? Oh yeah. Got a call this morning from Joe Garlington. He and James Dauzart are coming by for a visit in the morning. This is really thrilling to me. These two brothers were part of laying the foundation for Christian Challenge in the? 70s. Joe eventually went into pastoraing. James has been with us over the many years until of late. The Lord placed him in another ministry. Well it is true enough, ‘The ways of the Lord are past finding out.’
It will be good to share old memories. It will be even better to renew ourselves in Christian love.
The Scripture that comes to mind when I think about these two ‘early’ elders of Christian Challenge is Psalm 133 –?
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard, coming down upon the edge of his robe. It is like the dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing–life forever.”
That’s it for now. Learn to walk in love and you will fulfill all the commandments of God.
