There are certainly all kinds of people, and I seem to spend time around a lot somewhat boisterous type A personalities. Yet, among all those noisier folks I’m also blessed to know a man of a different sort. He has a quiet and gentle spirit. Being, “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” in the words of the apostle James. His name, coincidentally, is also James. He’s definitely the strong, quiet type, who can seem a little imposing to the uninitiated since he is rather tall. But beneath that imposing and ruggedly handsome façade there beats a heart of pure gold. He teaches high school math, coaches a youth mountain biking team, has his own adult sons and is the servant of all. A man of few words, but the first one to show up in your time of need. He’s also a man of humble prayers that often humble me. And he is the only person I know who still occasionally uses the word “knuckleheads.” However, in his case it really is a term of endearment. It means those who could use a little extra help … or a lot. But rather than being the old guy who might generally proffer such and archaic term as knucklehead, he responds and jumps in to help. In his case, after the words “slow to speak and slow to get angry” you might also add “quick to help.” He’s a great encouragement to many people, and certainly to me. So I offer the following poem to my friend Saint James, whom I have dubbed the patron saint of knuckleheads.
Saint James
It seems there is a patron saint
For most every kind of folk
Who need someone to watch over them
And whose name they can invoke
Soldiers, travelers and sailors
Beekeepers, cobblers too
Whatever hobby or profession
There’s a saint for what they do
And there’s a saint for ne’er do wells
Who at times have lost their way
On bike trails or their math skills
And he walks with them each day
He offers wisdom and encouragement
Kind words, and hope to those
Who seem to fall a bit behind
And he loves them, heaven knows
He dusts them off and nudges them
When they have fallen back
He prays for them wholeheartedly
And guides them to the narrow track
Those who need assistance
Can call on him by name
Most think of him as Mr. May
But he truly is Saint James
He’s the apostle of encouragement
No finer man this earth has tread
Than Saint James, the encourager
The patron saint of knuckleheads
By Frank Carpenter ©
"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." James 1:19
