I didn't know when I wrote the last blog having to do with passing on worship from one generation to the other and the importance of the example to our children among the body of Christ in worship that another church musician who did just that in her small way would go to be with the Lord today.
That church musician is my wife's mom, Beth Rock. Beth grew up a Baptist pastor's daughter and accompanied worship on the piano at a very young age. She continued to do so for the next some 70 years. She was my first church pianist in the small rural church, Eula Baptist Church where Fran grew up. She was faithful to that post until her illness took her off the bench serving as both pianist and organist all those years. She was my first and one of my best. I served churches much larger who were not as fortunate to have someone as gifted as Beth. She also had a beautiful voice and played and sang very effectively. When growing up, Fran and her sisters sang regularly with Beth in church. There was a time when about half the choir in their church was made up of their family. Fran's dad and siblings would be found singing in the choir.
But, that is not the only legacy she leaves. She taught many children through the years on both piano and organ. Some of those are pianists and organists in their churches today. She trained many to serve the Lord in supporting and enhancing congregational worship and praise at the keyboard. She was one of those key church musicians out in a little rural Baptist church who not only made a difference in the life of that church and other churches, but also contributed to the worship of many others through those she taught and trained.
Yesterday, before Mammaw went to be with the Lord, I was sitting in her hospital room reading through her hand written instructions for her memorial service. I found it interesting that at the beginning of the instructions, she printed boldly - "do not eulogize me, give glory to the Lord." Then, at the end of the instructions - she said, "don't mourn for me, give praise and glory to the Lord." What was her word to us? It's about Him. Her concern was His glory! What a lesson to leave for us all.
Bless you, Mrs. Rock, Beth, Mom, Mammaw for your years of faithful service unto the Lord and the legacy you leave us all. mjm
