Saint James

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