I’ve known this man for forty years. We’ve drifted in and out of contact over the years but I always catch up with him when the annual newsy Christmas letter arrives.

Lionel and I share a birthday and rarely miss a call, e-mail, or text wishing each other well. One year he called all excited and told me I’d never guess what his wife gave him for his birthday. After several guesses, he gleefully exclaimed his only son had arrived on his birthday! He was beside himself with pride and joy. It wasn’t long before two beautiful daughters completed their family.

It was interesting how parallel our lives ran. We both married medical students in their first year of training. He was a stay-at-home dad. I was a stay-at-home mom. We compared notes and parenting tips. We even exchanged recipes, if memory serves. He went on to be a nursing home administrator then eventually settled in as his wife’s medical practice manager.

After they became empty-nesters and he had survived three bouts of cancer, Lionel felt a calling. He became a youth minister and eventually was ordained this past weekend as a priest. Here, he blesses his lovely wife, Kathy. It is a beautifully poignant moment that radiates pure love.
I tell you this story because it illustrates we are never too old to be obedient to God and change paths completely for Him. We are never too old to challenge ourselves and step out of our comfortable lives to do something different. We are never too old to give back.

In this week of Thanksgiving, I hope we are all grateful for that still, small voice that speaks to us. And, that we are all grateful for those lifelong relationships that stay with us, no matter the time or distance that separate us.

Congratulations to you and your family, Lionel. I am so happy for you and admire you greatly.

❤️

“And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.”

1 Kings 19:12 KJV