My pastor was a great man! He loved the doctrine, he loved preachers, and he loved poetry! Brother Terry would read poetry to me when I would go to his house. For seven years his wife was bed ridden, and I would go as often as I could to sit with him. Most of the time it was one to two times a week.
When I got there he would reach over and take up one of the two books he used the most, we would settle in for the evening and he would read. He had this cute look that he used, he would look up to see if you were getting the meaning. He wanted to make sure you “caught” it.
There are many poems he would read, like “Maud Muller” by John Greenleaf Whitier. It is an incredible story of a judge riding down a country lane who stops to get a drink of water at the hand of a young maiden. He rides on but always remembers that moment. Both of them go through life wondering what might have been if they had married. It is from this poem the famous line is often quoted,
“the saddest words of tongue or pen, are simply these, it might have been”.
There were other poems he loved like “Curfew shall not ring tonight”, “The face on the barroom floor”, “The hell bound train”, “Casey at the bat” and the two sequels to “Casey”.
One poem he loved very much and used to help many people is called “Let it unfold”. He preached about it and so have others. The man who has made this poem most recognizable is Vaughn Morton. Vaughn Morton has preached a classic, unforgettable message using this poem entitled “Let it unfold”.
The poem speaks about just letting life unfold the way God unfolds a rose. Brother Terry would take people, mostly young preachers, out in his back yard and hand them a rosebud. He would insist you unfold the rosebud. As you tried you destroyed any chance of the rose ever reaching beauty or completeness.
Then Brother Terry wisely handed you a rose. Asked you to smell its fragrance, look at its beauty. And he would quote the poem.
I remember like it was yesterday the moment I stood in his backyard with broken pieces of a rose in one hand and a beautiful red rose in the other. With a tear in his eye, that old, wise mentor said…
It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of God’s design,
But I cannot unfold the petals
with these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I,
The flower that God opens so sweetly,
Would in my hands would fade and die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud
This flower of God’s design,
Then how can I think I have wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?
So I’ll trust in Him for His leading
Each moment of everyday
I’ll look to him for guidance
Each step of the Pilgrim way.
For the Pathway that lies before me,
My heavenly father knows:
I’ll trust him to unfold the moments,
Just as he unfolds the rose.
Thank you Brother Terry for one of my life’s greatest lessons.
Thanks for reading today!
I always enjoy hearing that story and that poem. Excellent as always. Reading your blog has become one of the highlights of my day. Always inspires me. Thank you Pastor!
Thank you.
I concur with what she said…always a daily highlight and inspiration.
Bro Bow,
As usual the Blog is written with elegance. I always become very emotional when one speaks of their “Man of God”. I hope no one would think that I am too weird, (I realize I am weird, but not too!:-) but I drive by Brother Jordan’s grave and talk to him about how much joy I had when he was there for me to talk to. I realize it is only I who knows what I am saying but it is still a relief knowing I feel better when I do.
Your honor to Brother Ike Terry brought a tear to my eye as I realize something is missing in me, that I need to keep in mind that God is still helping in my life.
I need to call back to remembrance of what I had when Brother Jordan was still here. I believe there is great wisdom to glean from those Elders who have past on. I still use their quotes when I teach to our church. I still need that wisdom today!
Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will show thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.
(Deut 32:7)
Lord Bless you and this wonderful Blog.
Your comment really touched me Brother McKinney, thank you so much. I love you and pray for you often.
Pulled out the old cassette of Bro. Morton preaching this message the other day. I have listened to it several times & recommended to others. I am in the middle of it now. Thanks for this post. It seems Bro. Terry was an interesting man who was in live with the doctrine. May we look forward to future posts about him?
Yes I would like to post more in the future about Elder Terry.
Thank you I loved this article, I remember when Bro Morton preached that message down in Bro Davies meeting in Oregon. It was so touching, this brought back memories of then.
I too heard Bro. Morton preach this in Twin Falls ID back in the day:-)
I sure needed to be reminded of that! Thank you… Sitting back here and trying to keep my clumsy hands off of it.
Glad it bought good thoughts to mind. Love you Elder!
Thank you again.
Thanks for taking time to comment. I always appreciate your input.
I loved reading this. You my friend, inherited quite a large portion of your pastor’s mantle.Thank you for sharing.
Those Elders, including your father were a marvel in their view of life. May God help us to grab those echos of life and pass them down to the next runner in the relay of life.
Elder thank you so much for your blog. It is very encouraging to me each time I read it. I too have great memories of your wonderful “Man of God.” I only got to spend a few days with him in 2000. That is all it took to make a huge impression on my mind and life. May God richly bless you.
It makes it all worthwhile for people to visit. Thank you.
Wow, does that ever bring back memories. I was blessed to hear Bro. Morton preach that message and also to have the privilege to meet and hear Bro Terry preach when I was in my teens. He was a remarkable man whose legacy continues on in the lives that he touched.
Remember, it takes a long time to get a gate!
Thank you for for the poem. Pastor Garrett sang the poem 2 weeks ago and it was on my mind and while I sat thinking about it. I decided to do a search and found your blog. Thank you.
I remember him giving me a rosebud at about
age 8 and quoting this poem. It’s always been a
Special memory for me. It’s been a great help
in my walk with GOD. I am so thankful for pastors like Brother I.H.TERRY who talked so plain;
and cares about people’s understanding of the word of GOD. Wanting everyone to make it to heaven, knowing sadly that all won’t go. But still trying to make a difference in their lives. Love you Brother Terry,RIP