Reverend Harry Collier was the pastor of our church growing up. Rather than saying hello with common words, Harry always said, "Greetings!" I was 16 when we started attending. The church broadcast their services on the radio, and my mom heard that the church was nearby. It pulled my parents from being Christmas and Easter church attenders. My parents fought less when we went to church. I loved church for that reason alone. It marked me.
Harry came to our door in the spring of 1977. For years Harry had taken the teens on a mission trip to Cortez, Colorado, in a school bus. He asked me to go. I was 17. I had no idea that pastors could be normal and act goofy. Harry did that well! It marked me.
Harry was safe. I remember when I felt like it might be OK to ask what I hadn't dared to ask, "I don't get why we pray. If God knows everything that's gonna happen, why do we pray? What's the point?" Harry was wise. He affirmed me and didn't give me a simple answer. It marked me.
Harry baptized me when we got home from that trip. Harry married us. Harry baptized our daughter. It marked me.
Some years later, I was a self-righteous young adult; I had the arrogance and audacity to privately rebuke him after he showed anger during a church meeting. Harry offered me nothing but grace. My behavior was shameful. His response was Jesus. It marked me.
Harry died last week. His life marked mine - for good. God gives us opportunities beyond what we can imagine to mark the lives of others - for good.
Kathy, I can tell you this, I have attended one of your break out sessions on groups and it marked me. I am attempting to use that information to mark others in our church. So, thank you Harry and thank you Kathy. God bless you both.
Posted by: Rick Phillips | March 14, 2008 at 04:40 AM
Thank you so much for sharing with me/us your memories of my Granddad. He was an awesome guy. It's really cool to see that what he did in his life here on Earth is still going forward. God's Blessing on You, --Benjamin C. Collier
Posted by: Benjamin Collier | March 16, 2008 at 08:30 PM
Kathy, thank you so much for "sharing". We may live in a "big world", but oh what a "small community" some times huh? I think it's so neat, the connection you had to Harry. And you are just a "smit" of the lives this man touched. So glad he became a part of our family, especially for my brother. Who could ask for a better father-in-law?
Thanks again, God Bless!!
Micolette Perri
Posted by: Micolette Perri | March 17, 2008 at 07:41 AM
Thank you Kathy! You made me laugh and cry!
I remember those mission trips so well. Being the rebellious teenage daughter I was, I wasn't going to go. Yet, my father, Harry, convinced to go by saying he'd be my slave for 3 months. I quickly took daddy up on that offer & went to Ozone Tennesse with the group. Memory serves me well, there are some photos of dad and the guys in a river out there somewhere....I won't say more. Kathy, I shared with dad that you & Jeff were members @ GCC and about your position. He commented that he was sure you were a big assest because of who you are and that you had a lot to give. And to Rick, you've got it right! The Holy Spirit uses each of us to bless others if we are obedient.
Patti Perri
Posted by: Patti Perri | March 17, 2008 at 09:05 AM
Greetings! I have always used Greetings because Dad did. Sometimes he'd say greetings and salutations. I read your comments about Dad marking your life. All living, growing things are given just one day at a time. Sooner or later that one day will be the last day. As people of God we need to make each (one) day count. Dad did that. You are proof of that. I am proof of that. Our family was with Dad until the end. He had chosen how he wanted to go and in the end when he would go. He loved God and he loved God's people. My son Ben said it all. He was awesome. Our family now celebrates his life and we continue to pay it forward one day at a time. Blessings to you, Bob Collier
Posted by: Bob Collier | March 19, 2008 at 09:45 AM