A funny thing happened on my way to Santa Fe. . .
Well, actually, I didn’t go to Santa Fe, but it seemed like a good way to start off this story, which was reported in the papers on Monday. The actual incident happened last Wednesday in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Here’s what happened:
Bernie Garcia, an 83-year-old great-grandmother, was gassing up her car when she was approached by a young man who seemed to be a nice guy in need of some money. When she kindly informed him that she’d just spent all her spare change on gas and had none to give him, he grabbed her purse.
But Bernie held on! She had it wrapped around her wrist twice, and the would-be robber couldn’t pull it away. He sure did try, though. But Bernie fought back! She sprayed his shirt with some gasoline from the nozzle that she still held in his hand. But he was bound to get the purse and wouldn’t let go. But neither would Bernie. The struggle got so intense that the man pulled Bernie to the ground and actually dragged her a short distance until another man confronted him, demanding that he let her go.
His robbery attempt completely foiled, the man jumped into a nearby vehicle and fled.
A witness tog the license plate number, and just three minutes later, police spotted the car – which had been reported stolen – on the highway.
Bernie Garcia and an eyewitness identified one of the men inside as her attacker. He and two other guys in the car were charged with robbery and conspiracy.
Bernie felt fine after the attack and declined medical attention. (Later on, when she got home, she did feel a bit faint, went to bed, and woke up the next morning rather sore. Her son, a former firefighter, checked her out, and everything seemed okay, thankfully.)
At some point, Bernie‚Äôs son asked her, “Why didn‚Äôt you just give [the purse] up?” Bernie said, “[Mild expletive] no, that was my purse. I was fighting for what was mine.”
Way to go, Bernie!
After I read this story (and enjoyed a good laugh), I thought of our own “tenacious senior saints” here at First Baptist. I thank God for them and am so grateful for what they don‚Äôt hold on to, and for what they do hold on to.
Our senior saints don’t hold on to a certain musical style, insisting that the times conform to their preferences. For the most part, they love the old hymns (as do I), but they are also willing to learn and sing new songs that we introduce to the congregation, so long as they express biblical truth. Our seniors try really hard to emphasize substance over style, and I appreciate that.
Also, our seniors recently had to move their Sunday morning Bible School class to another room, due to some necessary shifting that had to take place in order to provide more efficient storage and office space. Instead of complaining or insisting on their own preferences being met, they simply went with the flow and continued to enjoy their time of fellowship in the Word.
Yes, our senior saints are a blessed bunch of pretty flexible folks. But there is one thing that they hold on to tenaciously. There is no bargaining, no compromise, no give whatsoever – and you’d better not try to take it away from them! Can you guess what it is?
It‚Äôs not their purse, pocketbook or billfold. Rather, it is the treasure of God‚Äôs truth. Paul‚Äôs exhortation to Timothy is directed by God‚Äôs Spirit to every believer: “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us” (2 Tim. 1:13-14).
How glad I am for our faithful, older members who cling so tenaciously to sound doctrine, as taught in Holy Scripture … who continue to gather faithfully each week to study and celebrate God‚Äôs truth … who continue strong in the faith to the glory of God. Thank you for being such an example of faithfulness to the rest of us week in and week out. May your tribe increase!
Thanks Pastor Matt for the latest post.
I agree, it is a great blessing to have the senior saints in our church body as an example of running the race to the end. I think the recent service that we had for Fred Smith and his ministry was a great reminder to all of us about how much all of our Senior Saints have meant to our country, families and churches.
Brian