Nobody but Jesus will ever know the space I was in when I drove down to Roy Lange's church in 2006. I had off-the-charts anxiety and loneliness after being in Arab out in the woods for several months.
The only reason I didn't stay for Roy's evening service is I didn't want to want to miss hearing Shorewood over the internet and knew I would have to drive some miles before I reached any place that had a free wifi connection. I regret the decision.
I had much time to kill (over an hour and a half) before their pre-study Wednesday night supper got under way and ended up driving around and even sitting out at the cemetery across street. I looked for the Jordan name on the grave markers but never got to even one!
Sure am glad to have had the opportunity to know Roy in his element, with his "people." I know he helped me a great deal at a time when I was desperately in need of companionship and to be with fellow Grace people, and even stressed to me that if I would ever come back he and his wife would gladly give me a place to stay.
He was just the most genuinely friendly guy you could have ever imagined after hearing about him for years and knowing what a tremendous influence he had on Jordan. Knowing I was from Shorewood really was a treat for his congregation members and it's like they wanted me to feel I was a celebrity in their midst.
Hope Roy got the turnout he deserves and Jordan sailed through the uprights with his funeral sermon. I really do love Alabama! It's unlike any other place, people too.
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