Mr. Estabrook
A Leader of Children
We each have a handful of people in our lives who leave a lasting impact. Mr. Estabrook is one of mine. I mentioned him in my book, Lifted from Shame. It’s because he spoke of Jesus as if he knew Him. His gratitude to Jesus for dying on the cross forever shaped me. I wanted what he had.
I met Mr. Estabrook through his daughter, a fifth grade classmate of mine. She invited me to AWANA, a Christian club for school-age children, which met in her church. I was hooked after attending once. There were active games, songs, Bible lessons, and Scripture memory. It felt different than Sunday School because the club was only for kids and their leaders. In Sunday School we never played tug-of-war like we did at AWANA. We kids filled the sanctuary pews and classrooms. There must have been 200 of us in that small church.
Mr. Estabrook was the AWANA commander. He oversaw everything. He led the games, which was no small feat, considering we all played around the same game circle. He was also one of the bus drivers who picked us up and then took us home afterward. Mr. Estabrook had been a Merchant Marine and wasn’t afraid to keep us in line. But he loved us–all 200 of us–like we were his own. We knew it. We could tell.
Gratitude to Jesus
Mr. Estabrook cried when he spoke of Jesus. He wanted us to know the love and mercy of our Savior, and prayed that every child would come to know Him personally. I don’t recall a single Bible lesson taught by a teacher in the large group time. I do, however, remember in detail hearing Mr. Estabrook share of the love of Jesus for us. “Children, never forget how much Jesus loves you,” he’d say through tears.
After a few years, I aged out of the program. My life was busy with activities in my own church and at school. I lost touch with my AWANA comrades.
Seen and Loved
Once when I came home from college, I visited a family member’s church. After the service, I scanned the sanctuary. Lo and behold, Mr. Estabrook was there! I jumped up, ran to him, and gave him a bear hug, exclaiming my joy at seeing him. He grinned as if he had won the lottery. After all of those kids and the passing of ten years, he remembered my name. He told me how happy he was to see me. It still chokes me up to think of it.
Mr. Estabrook loved us kids with the love of Jesus. The power of it changed me. Though I was one of 200, he saw me and valued me, just like Jesus. It was and is a big deal.
When I get to heaven, I think I’ll run to him again. I’ll thank him for his investment in me and all the kids. I’ll tell him how God used him in my life. I think he’ll grin and remember my name.
Mark 9:37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me.”
Photo by Austin Pacheco on Unsplash