Barbara

In the earliest days of our church, when still meeting at Brinker Elementary School with offices on the North Dallas Tollway, we were in need of someone to help me in the church office. Walt and Barbara Zimmer were new members, but already there presence was felt. We'd decided to start a new adult LIFEgroup, giving us two, and had asked Walt to teach. Within time Walt's Godly character, wisdom and church experience distinguished him as a person God would mightily use in our young congregation. He served on our Mission Council, our Personnel Team and, eventually, our Board. Yet... beside him was Barbara - a magnificent blessing in other ways. Soft spoken and of quiet spirit and gracious ways, Barbara refused to speak ill of anything or anyone, and... it was she who was willing and able to help us at the church office with the growing demands of serving and communicating to our congregation. So that what started simply soon became one of the great blessings of my ministry, and, certainly, a later-on career of service for Barbara that lasted nearly 15 years.

During her years on our church staff Barbara served as our secretary, as my Administrative assistant and, eventually, as our Records Assistant - keeping track of attendance, visitors and all membership requests. Each Monday she would gather all our visitors cards and post our LIFEgroup attendance, and... most importantly, she would help me in the follow up of those who'd visited - sometimes as many as 20-30 families weekly. I can't recall the number of times I would phone Barbara at home on Monday or Tuesday nights - to check or verify an address or phone number - as I made my calls and visits. Times too numerous to count! Yet, even so, she was always the same. Always ready. Always helpful. Always kind.

Barbara loved her daughters and grandchildren - and, she loved Walt. When Kimberly, her daughter died, I think a part of her died, too. Yet, she carried on, working beside Walt and serving faithfully in the Agape LIFEgroup. As a couple they were inseparable. Walt was her rock and she was his. To see Walt walking into the building was to see Barbara. Always there. Always smiling. Always the same. Barbara helped with my library, she encouraged me with my sermons, and... she was there. Always!

When I reflect over the years of my pastorate I am reminded - more and more - of the one thing that made it most special. It was, and is, the Barbara's! For preachers do get more criticism than they should, and most times more credit than they deserve. So that any wise pastor knows the truth. That not only are we saved by God's grace, we serve by it too. And by this same grace we ofttimes are blessed to serve with a Barbara. One who will step alongside us and others to selflessly serve 'as unto the LORD.'

Just ask Walt! For he will tell you that...

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

from Proverbs 31: 10-11 & 28-31

Barbara is now with Jesus. She passed peacefully from this 'Land of Dying'' into the Land of Living' to see her Savior face to face this morning. She has her reward. And, by the good - all sufficient work of Christ, I will see her again.

Indeed,  

Pastor Sam 

-