Tag: David Sain

Don’t Wait To Say “Thank You”

received word this morning of the passing of one of my mentors and heroes, David Sain. I have known about this man and his great family since I was a boy, having watched a VHS video series by him entitled, “The Time To Get A Divorce.”

Neal Pollard

I received word this morning of the passing of one of my mentors and heroes, David Sain. I have known about this man and his great family since I was a boy, having watched a VHS video series by him entitled, “The Time To Get A Divorce.” When I moved to work with the Cold Harbor church of Christ at the age of 24, I got to meet David and get to know him better. He was preaching for the Wood Avenue church of Christ in Florence, Alabama, which congregation provided support for Cold Harbor.

From the beginning of this relationship, David encouraged me. He invested in me as a young preacher, counseled me, and even defended me in situations where he stood nothing to gain by doing so. He told me something early on that I have quoted repeatedly for over 30 years, including last Sunday morning in Bible class: “It’s not a matter of ‘who’s’ right, but ‘what’s’ right.” It has been so helpful in dealing with difficult and controversial topics. He blessed my local work whenever he came and preached. He appeared on a TV program in my local work, resulting in many Bible studies and 14 baptisms from the community. He was always a class act, who acted out of the good of others and for the strength and growth of the church. He was a builder.

In later years, he continued to email, write, and call me, ostensibly to encourage me. He did so, modeling a humility that did not negate my estimation of his greatness. It only enhanced it. He seemed to always have the right thing to say at the right time, a continual class act. He always appeared to “have it together,” yet he never claimed or affected perfection. He loved his wife, his children, and his grandchildren in a doting and devoted way. Yet, he was courageous and compassionate, embodying as well as anyone I ever knew the principle of Ephesians 4:15!

I did tell him “thank you” more than once, but I never had the chance to articulate to him the things I’ve shared with you here. I reflected earlier today about that fact. Who else do I need to thank for their spiritual influence in my life? Who has planted seeds of success and strength in the garden of my life? Who do I need to seek out today? Somebody needs to be thanked for the good they have done to us and for us! Tell them now, while you can. They may not know you think that, and they will certainly be encouraged by it (Rom. 13:7).

A lesson from David in the last few months of his life.

Little Things?

 

Neal Pollard

Look what one look at a woman bathing on her rooftop cost a man, his home, and his country.  The pronunciation of one word spelled the difference between life and death for a nation of people.  One word inserted by a serpent changed the course of human history forever.

One visit to a website, one indiscreet email or phone call, one moment of anger and fury, one rash and foolish decision made before a new Christian, or one “white lie” can create unbearable consequences to the heart, destiny, and influence of a person.  Rationalization that it’s only once or only a little can be fatal, both to self and others.

But this “little thing” principle applies to attitude, too.  A brief, gossiping conversation may seem harmless, but discourage or devastate the subject of it.   Small, snide comments about the elders, Bible class teachers, deacons, or others may divide friends for a long time.  A grudge-bearer may help divide a church over a single, relatively minor incident having long since occurred.  “Little,” too often, is in the eye of the beholder.

A dear preacher friend of mine, David Sain, once illustrated this point very well.  He wrote:

I once read a statement that really got my attention.  It declared that a
tiny gnat can wreck an automobile.  Of  course, I wondered, “How?”
The article then explained that a tiny gnat had wrecked a car by flying
into the eye of the driver at a critical time, causing him to lose control.
So often in life, little things can do great harm.  It is easy for us to be
like that gnat.  Our petty criticisms, murmuring, complaints, and fault-
finding can “wreck” the most ambitious person or program.  Friend,
what our world needs is builders-not “wreckers.” (via Eastern Meadows Church
Bulletin, Montgomery, AL).

Let’s be careful with our influence, not minimizing our impact on others by our words, acts, and attitudes.  We want to do the little things that make a church great, through those same mediums.  As David says, let us build rather than wreck!