Greeting, Precious Family. May the Peace of the Lord be with you always.

Family, sometimes the greatest gifts God gives us are not things. They are people.
There are men and women who enter our lives for a season, yet their fingerprints remain on our hearts forever. They teach us, encourage us, challenge us, believe in us, and quietly help us become who God is calling us to be.

Today, I simply want to say, “Thank You.”
Thank You, Lord, for allowing our paths to cross. Thank You for placing people in my life whose wisdom, kindness, and integrity helped shape the woman I am still becoming.

My mentor, Dr. L. Guy Chelton, was one of those incredible people. Dr. Chelton was one of those rare people whose influence reached far beyond the walls of an office. He invested in people. He believed in them before they believed in themselves. His encouragement was never loud or self-serving; it was steady, genuine, and life-giving.

Looking back, I realize that many of the opportunities I have been blessed to experience were made possible because someone like Dr. Chelton took the time to open a door, offer guidance, or simply believe that I could walk through it.

As I reflected today, I realized something beautiful. Every mentor, every teacher, every encourager is evidence of God’s love. They are reminders that God often answers our prayers through people. Their words become seeds, and years later we find ourselves living in the harvest of what they planted.

Family, perhaps tonight your “thank you” belongs to someone who changed your life. Maybe they were a parent, a teacher, a pastor, a friend, a coworker, or a mentor. Some may still be with us, while others have gone home to be with the Lord.

Whoever comes to your heart tonight, take a moment to thank God for them. Their influence is part of your testimony.

Proverbs 22:1
New International Version

22 A good name is more desirable than great riches;
    to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

As I read his obituary, one detail touched my heart. In lieu of flowers, his family asked that donations be made to the Mayo Clinic. Even in his passing, Dr. Chelton’s life continues to bless others. It reminded me that a life lived in service doesn’t end when our earthly journey does. The seeds we plant continue to bear fruit in ways we may never see.

Let Us Pray

Abba,

Tonight my heart is simply filled with gratitude.

Thank You for the gift of people who help shape our lives. Thank You for mentors, teachers, friends, and encouragers whose kindness leaves footprints on our hearts long after they are gone.

Thank You for Dr. Chelton and for the ways his life blessed so many people. Thank You for the wisdom he shared, the opportunities he created, and the compassion he showed. May the seeds he planted continue to bear fruit in the lives of others for generations to come.

And Father, I also pray for every person reading these words tonight.

Some of us know You deeply. Some are searching. Some have questions they have never spoken aloud. Some wonder if You are even there.

Wherever we find ourselves tonight, meet us there.

If someone is searching, let them find hope.
If someone is hurting, let them find comfort.
If someone is uncertain, give them the courage to keep asking honest questions.

And if someone already knows Your love, help them become the kind of person whose life quietly points others toward goodness, compassion, truth, and grace.

Teach us all to live in such a way that when our own lives are remembered, people will thank You for allowing our paths to cross.

Thank You for every life that becomes a blessing to another.

In Christ Jesus name we pray. Amen, Amen and Amen.

Rev. Marcia Davis, BA, MA

July 6, 2026