The Blue Marble - In Memory of Elmer Kramer by Lois Brown Dale

  Thirty three years ago Elmer served the gongregation of Calvin Presbyterian Church as supply pastor when the minister was on vacation. His text that day was for Levticus 10 - Verse 18:

   "Thou shalt not avenge nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

  Elmer spoke of our need to be loving and kind to our fellow person and respect and honor that person's efforts as we do our own.

  It was a very moving sermon and at the end he placed small marbles in the collection plate and asked each of us to take one and always remember the admonition not to retaliate when hurt, but to remember our obligations as Christians to honor and love our neighbors as we honor and love ourselves.

  I have carried that marble in my cosmetic case all these years.

  Many times when angry or frustrated by some one else's behavior I've taken out my little marble and thought through Elmer's sermon. Probably it has been one of the most powerful influences on me I've known.

  I spoke to Elmer about two weeks ago and we laughed and talked of that sermon.

  * Written by Lois Brown Dale now Angel Lois - on two pages of pink stationery.

  *  I was going through a box that had a few more of Mama's things. There was a yellow edged zipped cosmetic case with a two sided mirror, some other small items and a blue marble. I took the items out and put them elsewhere - the powder puffs - one, I'm using, the other feathery one - I'm enjoying just looking at it.

  The marble? I took it (not knowing its meaning) and placed it with a solitaire marble game and put it along the groved edge with several other loose, extra marbles. Now I know the "mystery" of one lone marble in Mama's cosmetic case - and how did this all come together? Angel Lois, of course! Finding the letter - as I go through her files - and the marble, too. The "timing match" is amazing!

  Wow! Thank you, thank you Mama now Angel Lois.

  Love, Karen