Alva Review-Courier -

There are two types of people (I was originally going to say, “two types of senior citizens,” but that seems like ageism). One kind tells you the same story over and over and simply doesn’t know they’re doing it. The other tells you the same story over and over and simply doesn’t care. We know both sorts of people.

I try not to repeatedly use the same illustrations from the pulpit, but I’m sure that regular attenders at College Hill could name a couple of overused favorites. Of course, if I put the repetitious stories at different times during the sermon, most folks won’t know I’ve used them before. We sleep in shifts during the sermon.

When I was a child, our minister loved to tell the story of the man who went to prison for 20 years. Just before returning home, he wrote to his wife and said, “If you don’t want me to return to the home, I understand; but if you DO want me back, please tie a yellow ribbon on the old oak tree out front. (Sound familiar? If not, treat yourself to a good old disco/pop favorite from Tony Orlando and “Dawn,” circa mid-'70s. Or, if you prefer, you can find versions by Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Dean Martin and even Sonny and Cher.) The youth of the congregation found it hard not to laugh out loud when Brother Morgan started that story for the umpteenth time. Unfortunately, he passed away a few years ago. I’d love to hear him tell it right now.

Without thinking about it, we all leave behind impressions of ourselves through the things we say, the stories we tell. Some people are so profane and prejudiced, they leave behind a stench that crawls deep into your nostrils and leaves a memory that you wish could be forgotten. But some, even if they repeat themselves and repetitively and redundantly say the same things over and over again, leave the sweet taste of love, mercy and grace. God gives us more of those. See you Sunday.