By the time readers see this article, Rev. Enoch Fuzz will be celebrating his 67thbirthday at Elliston Place Soda Shop while guests are dancing in the street. With a full weekend of celebration, he will also be recognized for 49 years in ministry and 41 years as the pastor of Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church for ‘Pastor Appreciation Sunday.’
When we say things like “congratulations,” “I wish you a happy birthday” and other salutations of joy, the words sometimes seem to be a habit or just a ritual for the occasion. However, it is truly a blessing to see and celebrate Enoch Fuzz, the reverend and the pastor, the friend, the leader of the community, the brother to his family, the father to his daughter, and the grandpa to his grandson! Following the several years of his journey with stage four lung cancer and all of the other health issues that have developed from that diagnosis, we are the ones that are happy to celebrate these times with him.
Rev. Fuzz keeps a busy schedule and a schedule of rest as well. He stays busy assuring that the activities of the church and the community are maintained in any way that he can help. Yet he, too, gets tired and sometimes feels sad and sorrowful. He feels this way often when he has to take extended time to be still and rest. He does not feel sorry for himself when he is feeling down. But at those times he finds himself succumbing to the thoughts of recognizing the pain of others. He has often stated that someone else is in a worse condition than he is.
While he is only one man, Enoch Fuzz is so much more to many. In the aforementioned list, we recognized him for what he means to us all individually and collectively in the community—the church, his family and his friends. We are thankful each day and each year that allows us to continue to say, “Happy Birthday, Fuzz!” We are also thankful that his members can look on another year to say, “Congratulations to the best pastor in the whole wide world!” And God can look at one of his disciples and recognize another year of a job well done in ministry.
Continue to pray for Rev. Fuzz and his journey. There is power in prayer. He is always in continuous prayer for you and this world. Check out Rev. Fuzz’s Facebook site as he gives praise through God’s word, songs and pictures. Sometimes you may see a flyer for the upcoming speakers for the Wednesday noon services. You will be blessed. Thanks for reading and sharing, ‘Cancer: My Journey in Time’ each week. May it be a blessing to you.
