A Norvell Note for June 27, 2022
Vol. 26 No. 24
A Man of Grace
During the last and most recent months of craziness and confusion, I failed to acknowledge the passing of Lynn Anderson. As a result, I am only one among thousands who were able to sit at Lynn’s feet and listen to him talk about his relationship with God and his longing for us to know that same love.
Lynn had a remarkable ability to memorize Scripture. Still, his ability to help us move from the written Word to the understanding that Word is alive, hope is real, and faith is worth searching for that touched me so profoundly. With Lynn’s help, I understood and appreciated that “The Word did become flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
Lynn could make you think about God and the Scripture in new and fresh ways. Passages I had read hundreds of times took on new meaning and gave me a clearer understanding of Jesus.
As I watched the recording of Lynn’s memorial service, I heard his students, friends, and family share how Lynn made them feel like they were the most significant person in the room when they were with him. He made me feel that way. He could see into our souls and remind us of our goodness and beauty.
I remember one occasion when sitting with Lynn and sharing my heart about life and soaking in his wisdom when he opened his Bible and said, “Here’s a verse that will haunt you and wake you up in the middle of the night.” Here is the passage: “How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44) After several restless and sleepless nights, I sent him an email early one morning and said, “Lynn, thanks a lot!”
I recall another time when a friend and I were frozen in silence as he stood at Signal Point on Signal Mountain, Tennessee. With arms raised in worship, he gazed across the mountains, the sky above, and the valleys and river below us. He did more than simply recite the words of Psalm 8. He prayed the words as he poured out his heart to the Creator.
Many people were closer to Lynn and knew him more intimately than I did. But no one appreciated his grace-filled words and unconditional love more than I did. Lynn was a man of grace. I’m thankful for knowing him, the grace he preached, and the time I shared with him.
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