Snatched from the Fire – Having Friends That Love at All Times

I had been a disciple only a few months having been converted in the South Region of the Los Angeles Church in January, 1991. I met Lynda at a church event in Los Angeles in late 1991 or early 1992 and we began dating shortly thereafter; Lynda decided to move to South Central L.A. to be a part of the ministry work going on there, as a result of our growing love for each other.

Around the same time, Al and Gloria, as God would have it, moved from Ventura to be a part of the South Central ministry to fulfill a need for eldership within the young and rapidly growing ministry. This is when and where I first met Al and Gloria, and would establish a friendship that Gloria would many years later coin, “an eternal friendship” – and that is exactly what it is.

Lynda and I got engaged in early 1993, where we began a discipling relationship with Al and Gloria. We were married July. The Bairds left the South Central ministry in early 1995 to become a part of the Coastal Region.

I began abusing alcohol again in 1995, formerly having quit prior to my baptism. I had begun a downward spiral spiritually – turning to substances instead of relationships to deal with my heart. I left the church and walked away from God in 1995, as my alcohol use and marriage became out-of-control. Al and Gloria were never far from us over the dark years to come. In terms of the love and longsuffering that would come over the next eight years only God could have scripted.

In the depths of my addiction and no longer attending church for years, Al and Gloria never refused counseling times with Lynda and me. They always took time to love us by continual using God’s word as the answer and guide to our problems. They even came to a couple of my birthday parties! Al continued to get with me over the next eight years, whether it was fishing, lunch, dinner or a movie – his love was unwavering and always without judgment. I think most remarkably, even to this day, that Al would call me on average every two weeks for eight years to find out how I was doing. Each year I wondered when he was going to give up.

In late 2002, Lynda called Al and indicated that she was done with our marriage – she couldn’t go on any longer. Al asked that she give me one more chance, for him. She, in great trust and faith, agreed. Al called me immediately and told me that I could no longer wager my wife and children – that I could no longer afford to live my life for myself at the sacrifice of my soul and family. One morning, a few weeks later, Lynda told me that she was convinced that for the first time in our marriage I would choose myself over her and the kids. I wept because I knew it was true. I believed at that moment, that it was God talking through my wife to let me know that He had come to a time when it was almost too late – that He could no longer stay with me if I didn’t repent of my sin. It was the greatest scare that I ever had as I knew I had come to a great eternal crossroad. I called Al that day and told him, “I am ready”. That was early 2003. I was restored to Christ in March of 2003 and was welcomed back to church.

The Bairds with us in 2004.

I thanked God for the prayers and faith of Lynda – to stand strong and firm during the years of pain I had brought to her and the family. I thanked God for Al and Gloria for never seeing me as a name on a church roll or roster, but rather being written on the tablets of their hearts.

I am no one special from anyone else, which always led me to the question as to, “why”. It is clear now to me that my wife, Al and Gloria, along with many other brothers and sisters – it is because of the joy set before them. When you distill all of this down – I think you will simply see that Al and Gloria are servants of Jesus – good and faithful servants. Al was that friend that loved at all times and like a brother born for adversity – shared in my troubles. Eternal thanks to my wife, Al and Gloria – to God be the glory. Lynda and I were fortunate enough to be able to not only attend the Baird’s 50th Wedding Anniversary in late 2011, but were able to share with those in attendance, including the angels, of what their marriage has meant to us.

Your servant,
Charles

P.S. A few years ago I called to get advice from Al concerning a brother that would not return my calls, as this brother was not doing well spiritually. I asked him, “How long should I continue calling him?” Al’s response, “Until he tells you not to call him any longer.” Thinking back, I thank God I never told Al to stop calling me, because as time would tell – I don’t think he would’ve ever stopped calling.