Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder"1 (Lyrics) |
Brian Cooper is a member of a men's fellowship group that meets every week in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, Recently, he offered up some reflections for those who attend. As he spoke, I realized that although we know our "Coop" as this man who is one of us each week, many of us are not familiar with his story in the way that I here now relate.
Over the years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to work at basketball and volleyball events at high schools such as Mennonite Educational Institute (MEI), colleges like Columbia Bible College (CBC), and universities such as Trinity Western. One of my intriguing observations has been the unusually regular gathering of kids around this chubby little guy wearing an MEI or CBC jacket wherever the teams were playing. This didn't happen just once in a while; he regularly showed up to watch some of his kids play some ball.
It turns out that this guy is an icon to almost every student or graduate from MEI over the past quarter century or more. He still gets invited to graduation ceremonies — black tie and tails sort of stuff. But why?
It seems that over his 25 years or so, Coop took the time to get to know each and every student individually, greeting them, acknowledging them, and taking an interest in their lives and their studies. In return, they have never forgotten their beloved Mr. Cooper!
Several years ago, I was paying a visit to a sister-in-law in hospital. Afterwards, I recalled that Coop was in hospital recovering from a severely mangled leg that was crushed when a ladder collapsed from beneath him while he was cleaning the backboards in the gym for a basketball game. It was time to pay him a visit as well.
As I wandered down the hall, I heard strains of Christmas music that became a little louder the closer I got to his room. When I arrived at the door, I looked in to spy Coop, lying in serene comfort — almost angelic — surrounded by eight or nine members of the MEI choir who had come from school to sing him a serenade of carols. Even today, it is a memory never to forget.
It took a lot of dedication to remember kids — with impact — and leave a legacy of Christian interest and service.
You see, Coop was not a principal, nor a vice-principal, nor a teacher. He literally cleaned the place up every day.
He was the custodian!
What a lesson for us all!
Matthew 20:27-28a – Whoever wants to be first among you, let him be your servant. For the Son of Man came not to be cared for. He came to care for others. (NLV)
Prayer: Lord, we bow before You with thanks that You provide for us living examples of the characteristics of Your Son, examples who can show us how to live in service for You. We like to recognize those kinds of values as they are passed on to a younger generation. Help us as we try to honour those examples in our own lives. We ask that You would continue to inspire each of us with the knowledge of the sacrifice of Your Son for us, for He came to care for us. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share on Facebook Send your feedback to the author Leave a comment
Thanks for the encouraging story, Jim.
Well told, sir, and well worth the telling!
Lovely message Jim. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Jim. May Coop’s testimony be ours!
Loved your devotion! Thank you.
(On.)
Good morning, Jim,
Thank you so much for sharing this story of Coop.
A beautiful devotional for today.
Thank you.
Keep writing.
Good morning, Jim. Thank you for the devotional today. What a great story and reminder of how much personal connections matter.
Thank you, Jim for the touching story about Coop. We are truly blessed if we have a Coop in our life. Makes me want to invest more time listening to people.
What a well written, amazing devotional as an example of what all of us should be. “Greater love has no man.” Thank you, Jim, for this reminder about “Coop”. I needed this today. God bless!
Jim,
What a lovely story. Would it be that we would all leave a legacy like Coop.
Thank you for sharing it.
(Texas)
Good morning, Jim! What a touching story of love. It inspired me to be deliberate in my relationship to people in my world. They are all children of our God! I ask our Father to help me to see hear and know people in my heart. Thank you!
Thank you, Jim, for your devotional today. Yes, it is important that we reach out to others in the same way the Lord serves us with a very caring heart. Our Lord is certainly the truest example of how to be a helpful assistant to others. Blessings for writing.
Good morning, Jim,
Thank you for sharing Brian Cooper’s story. This gentleman knew how to live his best life. Taking a genuine interest in others is the most rewarding way for us to be able to express God’s love to others.
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the lovely story – with the surprise ending.
Thank God for people like Coop who take a genuine interest in young people.
Very inspiring.
Thanks.
Morning Jim:
Excellent blessed story and so true…. reminds me of my exchange with a couple of young fellows who attempted to minimize the work of a darkroom technician in a Radiology department.
Blessings.
Good morning, Jim,
Wow!!! What an inspiring message, I watered up and mouth kind of dropped at the end when you mentioned he was the custodian!! Wow, God bless that man, and may he live on in each of those students he touched by example!!
Thank you for sharing, God bless you and your family.
Thank you, Jim, for today’s devotion.
I enjoyed it very much.
It speaks to me about what we can learn from those whom we see only in the background.
It shows that a little love for those around you can last for a long time.
Thanks and many blessings,
(Québec)
Love it! I believe it was Brother Lawrence who assigned himself to the dishwashing duties at the monastery using the time to pray. What humility Coop showed!
Thanks, Jim,
(BC)
What a blessing Coop’s life was! Thanks for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.