April 18, 2023
This devotional is dedicated to my dear friend Pam Eggers, who graduated from this life a few short days ago. Pam had Downs Syndrome, which obviously placed some limitations on what she could accomplish in life, but to say that she didn’t accomplish anything meaningful would be flat out incorrect. I had the great honor of being her pastor for about a year and a half, but I learned a great deal from her in that short period of time…below is a short summary of what she taught me, and that I will always hold near and dear to my heart.
1.) Joy
Psalm 32:11 – “Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!”
Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Pam was joyful in everything that she did. She was our acolyte for many years, and took that role quite seriously, as she should have. It was/is a key part of our worship experience each Sunday morning, and she recognized that very clearly, and fulfilled it with great joy.
2.) Encouragement
1 Thessalonians 5:11 — “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
Pam was one of my great cheerleaders when I first became the pastor of Peck’s – a typical final phrase from her each Sunday was “You’re a good pastor”, and then she would give me my weekly hug and quietly walk away. We all need somebody who is in our corner, rooting us on to do well, and Pam was probably the best that I have had in ministry. She was always encouraging, and she was always very loving.
3.) Love
1 Corinthians 13:13 – “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Pam would begin her Sunday morning routine by going to each of the Sunday School classes and giving everybody in the room a hug and telling us that she loved us…didn’t really matter where we were in the lesson, it was first things first – hugs first, and then we could continue on with the lesson. The more that I reflect on that, the more special that it is to me. Pam got it right – hugs first, love first, and then whatever else needs to happen can happen, but let’s focus on what’s most important first. That’s how it should be…and she taught that extremely well, to all of us.
Pam, my good buddy, I will miss you terribly, but I thank God that I had the honor of knowing you and being your friend. I look forward to seeing you on the other side – enjoy the splendor of Heaven, and we’ll catch up soon.
Please pray for Edie, Nancy, Lewis, and the rest of the family as we have her service tomorrow evening at 6:00 at Smith’s Mortuary.
Love you guys, talk to you on Thursday!
In Christ,
Brian