Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Monday October 24, 2011

Yesterday my longtime friend and co-worker, Richard Harland reached the grand age of ninety one. Several times during the day he mentioned that he would like nine more years.

For many years Richard led the congregational singing and did some solo work at our church. He did so with gusto and a touch for perfection that was a beauty to behold. Even now he attempts to get up from his wheel chair at church and put a little gusto into the singing. He is one of the finest men I have ever worked with in nearly fifty years of serving Jesus.

Richard is one of those men who have strong and sensible convictions about life and it is rare in that he doesn't wear them on his shirt sleeve. He carries them in his heart and at just the right time he will let you know what he thinks and why and furthermore it would be a good idea for you to consider well what he is telling you. He is a master communicator.

I recall that not so long ago he was still driving and toward the end it was scary, but with a token resistance he surrendered the keys to his daughter with all of the aplomb of the surrender of Japan on the deck of the Battleship Missouri. He still led our congregational singing for several years after. He told me one day, "Pastor it seems like growing old is one surrender after another. I suppose when there is nothing left; He will take what's left of me home." Richard's spirit is greater than his body which is no longer able to carry it around.

When I was much younger I thought I would see the day when the normal disappointments that come with dealing with people would no longer hurt so much. Sometime ago as I watched and prayed with Richard through a situation that was near criminal and saw him coping with the deep hurt brought on by people he had helped in many ways a strange thing happened. He looked me straight in the eye and said, "Pastor you never get so old that things like this don't hurt." He further said; "I am thankful that I have not become so callused that I no longer feel. To feel, even deep hurt is better than being a hardened man who can no longer feel anything."

The faith in Christ that has anchored Richard and his wife Betty is the kind that catches you somewhat unawares in that you are fascinated by it before you realize that what is so intriguing is the reality of it. Richard Harland is genuine. On occasion he will still lead the public prayer at a morning service and he often struggles to get the next word and on a few occasions has just confessed, "Pastor I forgot what to say next, will you carry on?" You would have to be in the service to get the full impact.

A young man was with Brother Harland and I one time and when the young man and I were driving home having taken Richard to what he called his sugar shack, he said to me; "Larry he refuses to be willing to take any earthly life with him, he wants to use every bit of it while he is here on earth." Richard Harland is one of the Old Men of Christ who never quit dreaming dreams of God's work on earth. May his tribe increase.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2011 Use with credit

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