There was a story I took note of a couple of years ago that was all over the news at the time. Hundreds of students had shown up at the home of their beloved teacher to give their support during his fight with an aggressive cancer and serenade him. "It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in my entire life," said the headmaster of the school. "He is one of the kindest and intentionally loving people I've ever met. I think that's what really characterizes him. He's always pursuing other people in wanting to get to know them and love them."
Ben Ellis had been teaching Latin and Bible at Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville, Tennessee for a number of years when he was diagnosed with cancer and began chemotherapy. But that didn't stop him from showing up for his students. He taught as long as he could, but when he couldn't any longer, he still dropped by the school to see the students, as his health would allow, and came to school events.
Which is why more than 400 faculty and students, grades 9 through 12, showed up at his home one day to say thanks. For 30 minutes, they played instruments and sang and basically had worship right there on his front lawn. A video was made of a portion of it, and it has been viewed millions and millions of time. (You can Google his name yourself, Ben Ellis, and watch it too.)
Shortly after this incredible time of gratitude and joy, Ben died. It is powerful to think of the many lives he touched, hundreds directly, and maybe thousands indirectly, some of whom came on that day in such a personal and powerful way to show their gratitude.
And Ben Ellis was grateful for them too, right up to the end. "I love you," he wrote in a final note to his students. "I believe now more than ever that God is good, and that he is with us. I am full of hope, peace and joy.
God bless you this week as you think about things like gratitude and thanksgiving, perhaps even more than usual we will cling to the good things in our lives even as we are in the midst of all the disruption and difficulty. Maybe you will see a few friends and family members, masked up and socially distanced, of course. Or maybe it will be only in your mind's eye, that you will list the many names and see the multitude of faces of those for whom you are grateful.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Pastor Duane
