Mr. Solomon

This is a tribute to one of my family's all-time favorite people: Bill Solomon. Mr. Solomon is 82, and he has friendships with every member of my family -- and with people in every age group in our church, from the oldest to the youngest.

For as long as I can remember, from way back when my own children were attending Vacation Bible School, Bill Solomon was serving the children there in some capacity. I remember him best as wise King Solomon, sitting with the children and discussing their questions about salvation and sharing the Gospel with them. Children run to hug him when they see him. This summer, after telling the Bible story for the day, he was sitting with one of my favorite strong-willed little people at lunchtime. This little 5-year-old was refusing to eat his ziti. Bill grinned at him and said, "Just give it a try." The little boy eyed Bill, took a bite, then ate the whole plateful -- and asked for seconds.

But that is not Bill's only side. I have also watched him speak firmly but kindly to a young man in his 20s who was not being responsible. The young man did try to follow much of Bill's wise advice.

Bill Solomon put my husband on a Scripture memory program, giving him verses to memorize. He would seek out John each week and make him recite whatever Psalm he had given him (in the rich King James version.) John can only do those verses now if he imagines in his mind Bill's booming Southern accent.

Mr. Solomon was kind enough to come to a debate tournament that my son was in and helped out by judging the contestants. He gave John Jr. tips and encouraged him with confident words. He became so interested in the entire event and participated fully.

Later, he agreed to be interviewed by Leah for a school project and gave her such amazing material about his years in the Merchant Marine during World War II that she got a 100 percent on her paper -- from Mr. Etter! Mr. Solomon currently is coaching her on a dramatic presentation of Psalm 23, in the King James, of course.

Bill Solomon inspires me every time I see him. He invests in the people around him and glorifies God by joyfully serving everyone he meets. We thank God for you, Bill!