Today as I returned to my work location, I unpacked my gear and sat down to read for a bit and to gather my thoughts. I called my wife, told her I loved her and already missed her presence, and reflected upon the last day or so I had with my wife, son, saints from class, and fellowship with friends. I was so grateful for the sweet times I had had recently but now lonely because they were now in the past. I wanted to, in the fitting words of Jim Croce’s song, save time in a bottle.

But I was in my reading chair now, hundreds of miles away from my bride and my library, and my kids, and I was in Psalm 19. It is one of those Psalms I do not have to have my Bibles to read, because I had it memorized years ago. Here’s how this relates to Dr. C.

Dr. C. was one of my professors in my seminary years. But he was more than a professor; he was a mentor. He and I hit it off from the first day he stood to give his lectures. He was not caught up in himself. He just loved the Lord, loved teaching, and loved ministry. He was what I aim to be–just a vessel that God uses to connect profound truths of redemption via skillsets God himself provides. So simple but so rare. But Dr. C. did that.

He loved. He was wicked smart, no doubt about that. I would not want to compare test scores with Dr. C., that’s for certain. But he was not caught up in that. He was in it as a vessel of God–a vessel to be poured out.

But I had my Bible open nonetheless to Psalm 19. And it’s the same Bible I’ve had for years, one I’ve spent a lot of ink in and jotted down sermon notes, and book titles, and illustrations, and references to my heroes of church history, and Dr. C.’s impact was all over it.

I thought back to how he made us introduce ourselves to our fellow classmates in the class. Another guy and I shrank in horror, because we were the off-the-chain introverts. The irony, however, is that Keith is today one of my closest friends. We both dreaded having to talk to the class, but when we were forced to by Dr. C., he (Keith) and I found we were, like Forrest and Jenny, peas and carrots. We hit it off and found that we were brothers in the Lord; we connected then (and now) in ways God orchestrates via servants like Dr. C.

So as I sit in my reading chair, Dr. C., I know you’re now with the Lord, but this very worn Bible has your imprints all over it, because you had us memorize it all those years ago, and write it down verbatim for a test grade. Why? To be mean? No. But to teach us to get the Word into our very bones.

Like so many things you taught me, Dr. C., I am grateful. You were the professor I aim to be like, but in my own areas of interest and with my (very different from your) giftings. I miss you deeply, but you served us so well, and I know you have come into your reward.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

19 The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
² Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
³ There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
⁴ Their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
⁵     which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
⁶ Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
⁸ the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
⁹ the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
¹¹ Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.

¹² Who can discern his errors?
    Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
¹³ Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
    let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19, ESV)