Remembering This Excellent Pattern
I came to Taipei to study and had been living in the student center at Hall One for a year. On the Lord's Day or on weekday mornings, I would often see Brother Wu coming and going at the meeting hall. From being merely the great brother in front whom I had only heard of by reputation, to gaining an impression of him from hearing him in person, my feeling toward him still rested only at the respect and admiration one has for an elder.
At the beginning of the previous semester, Brother Wu took part in our move-in fellowship. He gave us some words of strengthening and cherishing, and he invited every brother and sister living in the student center, in groups, to eat and fellowship with him. It was in that fellowship that I came to treasure how such an elderly brother as Brother Wu was still willing to serve us students who were still wet behind the ears. He attentively listened as we introduced ourselves one by one, and he worked hard to remember our names. I still remember that, after the fellowship, on the road as we walked back to Hall One with Brother Wu and Sister Wu—the road was actually not long, but because of the condition of Brother Wu's body, we strolled slowly, now sitting, now walking, with fellowship and laughter all along the way—it was exceedingly sweet and unforgettable.
I can testify that, although the brother's body was limited, he was most willing to pay the price to serve and to cherish us. I truly feel that, in my aspiration to serve, I need to set my heart afresh and to be strengthened. In the days to come, when I grow old or weak, or when I sink down and am no longer glad to serve others, I will remember this excellent pattern and be empowered afresh, glad to serve—and that will be such an excellent grace.