Well, I'm

glad somebody finally noticed and did something. A few

months ago, I received a fax informing me of a website

called "barneyfife.com." It is a series of

Sunday school type lessons based on the old Andy Griffith

show. I browsed the site, became fascinated with the

concept, and passed the word on to a few friends.

Apparently it fell upon deaf ears. No one started any

classes...no one went back to Mayberry.

But, what a

great idea! Who can forget the lessons taught in each of

those episodes? The rich characters, each with his own

quirks, but good to the bone, nevertheless? The show

never professed to be Christian, per se, but the messages

were always there. I still watch the show whenever it's

on. TBS occasionally runs an Andy Griffith

marathon-16 hours of nothing but Mayberry. I am in

heaven.

But,

getting to my point, the singles class at Braelinn

Baptist has taken the ball and run with it. They started

last Sunday and will continue for another seven

weeks-Sunday school lessons based on the wisdom

of Mayberry. You might want to check it out. The full

story is on the preceding page.

And,

speaking of lessons, I came across the following one

several months ago. Rev. Sam Matthews of the Fayetteville

First United Methodist Church wrote it in his pastor's

message in the weekly bulletin. Come to think of it, I

can picture something like this happening in Mayberry.

It's called, "What We Let Happen" and here it

is:

"School

has begun again. I spent a few minutes last week behind a

school bus as it made its stops, letting out a variety of

Fayette County's brightest and most beautiful! I grew up

out in the country, several miles from the school I

attended, so I know a lot about riding a bus home in the

afternoons.

"Waiting

behind the bus brought an old memory to mind. One

afternoon (I was probably a fifth grader) I remember that

one of my friends opened the emergency door and threw out

some paper. We thought it was a grand thing to do and

laughed heartily, but a driver on another bus saw us.

Surely enough, early the next morning we saw him go into

the principal's office and I knew that my friend was in

trouble. We waited for the announcements over the

intercom, sure that his name was to be called. It was and

he was instructed to report to the principal's office.

But imagine my surprise when MY name was called too, and

I had to report along with him.

"I

knew that I wasn't in trouble. I hadn't opened the door.

I didn't throw out any paper. None of the paper had my

name on it. I was clean. I was safe. I was innocent. Or

so I thought. Imagine my surprise when (the principal)

told me he was surprised at me, ashamed of me, and how he

expected better of me. He was sure that my parents would

be surprised and ashamed too. But I defended myself! I

didn't do anything. I didn't throw, I didn't open, and I

didn't laugh. And I'll never forget his words. `But,

Sammy, you let it happen.'

"A

whole new world of responsibility opened for me when I

learned that I was responsible not only for what I did,

but also for what I let happen. Think about it sometime.

Not even half of our congregation worships here each

week, and you and I let it happen. A good number of the

people around us lead lonely and desperate lives, and you

and I let it happen. People around us do not get

comforted and visited and some children around us do not

see faithful role models. And you and I let it happen.

"I

don't mean to lay a `guilt trip' on you, but to remind

you that Christians need to be more proactive. We need to

reach more, involve ourselves more. Jesus said, `Go.' He

didn't say, `Sit.'"

That's a

wonderful lesson, and it could have come right from the

script of Mayberry. Instead of Sammy, can't you see Opie

hanging his head in front of Miss Crump? And, later, in

front of Andy and Aunt Bee? Powerful stuff, Sam. Many

thanks for allowing me to share it.

Let's not

let things happen. Do something. Until next time...keep

the faith.

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