HONORING OUR SENIOR MEMBERS

A Tribute To Lucy Thompson

Contributing Writer, Don Case

The Santee church is blessed to have a number of members who have been faithful servants of God for many years. This congregation is better because of the examples that these members set and the encouragement they have provided for many years. Lucy Thompson, formerly known as Martha Lucile Craig, met and married William Wallace Thompson, a faithful gospel evangelist when she was 18 years old. Together, they had three daughters: Wanda, Rebecca, and Pamela. We're fortunate to count Becky and Pam as members of this good church. During the early years of their marriage, they moved to various locations such as Oregon, Van Nuys, Boulder City, La Mesa, and Lakeside to help establish and strengthen congregations.

Wallace and Lucy always made people feel welcome by greeting them at worship services, shaking their hands with smiles on their faces, inviting them into their home for singings, potlucks, ice cream socials, and forty two parties (to name a few). They truly understood not only the responsibility but the great privilege of practicing New Testament hospitality. Lucy taught Bible classes to the young children and loved singing gospel songs. She has a beautiful alto voice that her daughters have inherited.

Lucy became a beautician in 1957 to help make ends meet. During that time, gospel preachers were not paid well and so she did what she could to help the family out. She also enjoyed working outside with her plants and flowers.

Lucy turned ninety on December 25, 2011. Until recently she was able to read her Bible which she had done for many, many years. Lucy trusts in the Lord and calls on the Lord in times of distress. Even in her elder years, she still maintains a great sense of humor and loves to see her children, her grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Lucy's long life reminds us of the great blessing it is to be raised in a Christian home where children are loved and nurtured. More important, Lucy reminds each of us how important it is to teach the appropriate respect of God and obedience toward His word.

As a congregation blessed with a number of older members, let us never take faithful Christians like Lucy for granted. Instead, let us respect them, honor them, learn from them, and do our very best to be the kind of Christians that others will, many years from now, speak of us with the same appreciation.