Once a Wedgie, always a Wedgie

I don’t remember the very first time I met Al Meredith, although I do remember feeling at home at Wedgwood from the first time I visited! My earliest memories of him would have to be having him call on me on Wednesday nights to say the books of the Bible, or telling me to take a deep breath when I was sharing at the microphone (too often!) during testimony time, or praying together at Friday morning prayer.  Coming from a family that loves to repeat stories, I didn’t mind when Bro. Al used some illustrations multiple times—instead, I rather enjoyed it! Sharing an apartment with a church secretary gives you an even closer look into your pastor’s life, as does being friends with one of his tennis partners. I came to feel I could confide in Bro. Al and go to him with some of my most troubling questions and challenges, such as “Where is God when a child is being abused? Why doesn’t He step in and stop it?” and “How can I forgive someone who isn’t even sorry?” When Mike and I got engaged, we asked my brother to conduct our wedding ceremony, but Bro. Al to do our pre-marital counseling. I still vividly remember some of the advice he gave (even if I don’t always follow it!)

I left a part of my heart at Wedgwood Baptist Church when we left there to serve in Idaho. In fact, any time I have had to miss church because of sick children, I’ve listened to one of Bro. Al’s services on the internet, no matter where we lived. There have been two times when my heart longed to be there most of all. The first was the first Sunday after the shooting. I, however, was 4 months pregnant and 2,000 miles away, and it just wasn’t possible. My sweet husband, however, saw to it that I was able to go to the memorial service one year later. I went up to Bro. Al that weekend and said something along the lines of “I know I wasn’t there when this happened, but my heart was broken.” And he validated my grief with the simple words, “Of course—you were Sydney’s friend.”

The second time is this coming Sunday, when the church family will be expressing gratitude to Bro. Al and Kay for their years of service. (Deep breath) How I wish I could be there! Again it isn’t possible, due to current ministry responsibilities. But I am grateful to be a Wedgie, to have known the Merediths, and to have been impacted by their ministry. Bro. Al and Kay, you will most definitely be on my mind Sunday morning and in my heart forever!