On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for the blessings that The Rev. Dr. Martin Marty brings to my life. I first met and heard Dr. Marty at the Chautauqua Institution in New York State. I had the opportunity to invite him to speak at the Hamrick Lectureship at First Baptist Church of Charleston. Dr. Marty could not have been more gracious to Carol and me. When he did come to speak that graciousness was apparent in so many ways. He prepared an outline of one of his lectures for the children he met at the bed and breakfast where he was staying. As he went through his lecture, he would draw the children’s attention to a special point on their outlines. All the adults present wanted a copy of the outline. I watched him switch from being one of the most renowned theologians in the world to a parish priest as he counseled one of our group who had recently experienced great loss. Dr. Martin, a Lutheran, had a better grasp of Baptists history than anyone present in his audience. His lectures were brilliant. The question and answer sessions flowed. He is a scholar who knows how to talk with anyone. Dr. Marty continues to write and lecture. He is a trustworthy voice in the rough and tumble world of modern religious thought. Dr. Martin E. Marty is the Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago. On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful that The Rev. Dr. Martin Marty is a part of my life.
Thankful Thursday is a day set apart to recognize the importance of someone to our lives and to let her or him know of our gratitude. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Say Something Nice; Be a lifter. You will be glad that you did.
