SHUFORD.

 This past Sunday we said goodbye to a dear friend and church family member. Just to be clear - "he didn't die", Pastor Jason kept reminding us. But it sure felt sad and well, a little final. Our beloved associate pastor, Chris Shuford, is leaving to go pastor a flock of his own. It would be easy for us as a church to be upset about this; Chris has been at Tuckaseege for about 12 years - and, well, we just love him! He and our Pastor Jason make a phenomenal team, obvious to anyone who's been there for awhile. It's hard to imagine one without the other and it's hard for me to imagine my sweet church without him there. But we are called to GO and TELL. And so - he's going. Who would I be to ask him to stay?! 

Shuford, the crafter of several "legendary" sermons that included 'props' like The Nature Boy Ric Flair, buckets, or $1 flip flops, and reminders to always put your buggy in the cart corral at Walmart, in true Shuford fashion he took the mic on Sunday, and through an "ugly cry" spoke to us for the last time from the pulpit of our church. He told us he's been called to the next church just to tell his story - and reminded us to tell our stories where ever we go, too. And it dawned on me then that I couldn't tell you my story without including him.

Matthew was barely 7 years old when he was invited to his first Vacation Bible School at Tuckaseege. And he loved it! He even "suckered" me into going to church that following Sunday to hear him sing the songs he had learned! To make a long story short - I walked into a church that day for the first time in I don't know how many years and it was like the Holy Spirit ushered me to my seat. I cried and cried and cried through the whole hour - from watching my baby boy raise his arms and sing out to God to the invitation at the end - I knew God had used that 3 days of VBS to get me in the place - and to bring me into a church family that in the future was going to mean so much to me. I don't recall meeting Chris that first day - but I met him the following weekend when they had a guest piano player. Again, tears all over my face, as the music reminded me so much of my dad. Chris and I had a conversation about that. And, well, I guess we've been friends since then!

A year later I was asked to give my testimony. At the time the choir loft was still behind the pulpit. During Chris's introduction of me he mentioned never forgetting a "toe-headed" little blue eyed boy who showed up at Vacation Bible School a year earlier ... he was talking about my son. My kid made some kind of impression on him! Chris took a seat behind me while I gave my testimony. And he cried. And cried. And cried! In fairness - it was a heart-felt testimony, explaining to the people just how much that little Vacation Bible School meant to us. A lot of people cried! 

Our lives literally changed direction when we landed on the steps of that church. Sure there were arts and crafts, and Bible Stories, and songs, and games, and goldfish and Kool-Aid but so much more than that! Every person there, every volunteer, every snack-slinger - Chris Shuford included - was an absolute tool of GOD Himself, using them all to bring Matthew and myself to HIM! I knew the impact - the HUGH impact the church had on me, on us - but I had no idea the impact we may have had on others until I turned around and saw Chris Shuford straight up ugly-crying! He hugged me when I was done - and told me he loved me and he loved my son. And I believed him. As a single mom of a little boy - you need all of the love you can get. It was the Shuford's 1st VBS at Tuckaseege. I hope it was as memorable and important an event for them as it was for us.

One short year later my mother was in Hospice during the final days of her life. My church, my beloved church family who GOD ordained for me, made sure we needed for nothing. Matthew, only 8 years old at the time was taken care of by my friends and church family. The night before mom passed away Matthew stayed with the Shufords. They took him shopping and bought him clothes for his Nana's funeral. They entertained him and kept him occupied. And they were with him the next day when the skies broke out in rainbows 10 minutes after mom walked into Heaven. We were in their sunroom when I told Matthew that his Nana was gone. I can never tell the story of just how much we were abiding in God's peace at that horrible time - without remembering the day Chris showed up at the hospice house to take Matthew home with him.

I don't want to embarrass the guy - but he's helped us so much over the years - from hanging a shelf in my apartment to groceries, if I've ever needed him he's answered the call. Matthew and I are just one family - I imagine he's done the same for countless others because it's just the kind of person he is. I can honestly say but for Chris Shuford and my beloved church, my life would be so much different now. And truly - I'm afraid to say how much! Sunday he hugged me again and again told me he loved me and "that little boy" of mine. And I still believed him.

My sweet brother in Christ - our church's loss will be your new church's gain! More importantly - the disciple you are will be Heaven's gain! I hope your first sermon starts out with Ric Flair's theme song and everyone yells WHOOO at you! Much love to you and your precious family. See you around town - now go and tell your story!