Never Doubt God Uses You – Remembering Keith Martin

Your Labor in the Lord Matters

Much of what is true of my life today is the result of adults who abounded in the “work of the Lord.” That does not ignore the contributions of others, and there have been many, but there is something especially valuable about those who contributed to my spiritual wellbeing.

I don’t recall the year that my parents switched from taking us to the Evangelical United Brethren Church to the Bible Baptist Church in Naperville, Illinois, but it probably was in 1960. The only reason I know this is by looking at the inside cover of the Bible my teacher, Keith Martin, gave me when I was a student in his Sunday School class.

The Front of Mom’s 1950 Bible

There are several pages in the front of a Bible that my mom owned that no longer has a cover and is also missing Genesis through 1 Samuel. The first page tells me the birthdays of my mom and dad, and also some information about their marriage. My mother was born in Chicago and lived a life of poverty as a young child. My father’s situation was also difficult, but not as difficult as my mother’s.

My dear Aunt Vera was one of the witnesses at my parents’ wedding. I am not certain who Kenneth J Tysen is, and I suspect my mom may have misspelled his name. He probably was “Tyson.” The Norwood Park Evangelical United Brethren Church” of Chicago no longer is in existence. However, it makes sense to me that my parents took us to the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Naperville Illinois until I was eight years old. In other words, from my earliest recollection we went to church every Sunday.

My Great Grandparents

My great grandfather was Michael Scheible. He was born in 1869 and he died when I was seven years old at the age of 89 in 1958. According to the 1910 US Census, he was the “head” of the household and was married to Agnes. Their youngest child was my grandmother, Katherine. However, her name was spelled “Catherine” in the census. Grandma Katherine’s first husband was not a good man. Her second was also a very bad actor and he made it necessary for my mom to leave to go live with her aunt Mamie so that she would be safe.

It is interesting to me that Great Grandfather Michael lived until he was 89 years old. That was quite unusual in that time. I don’t have any memories of him, but that is true of all of my great grandparents.

Back To Keith Martin

This glimpse of our family history started with the front of my old Bible signed by Keith Martin. He was someone who obviously cared for his students. One of the reasons I know this is an old card I found while reorganizing my home office. It was from Keith Martin.

It reminded me of a picture that was taken about one year after I was his student. He was present at the christening of our little rowboat, “Dinkey.” This picture was taken at the Barber Greene Hunting and Fishing Club in Illinois. I believe the little girl who was doing the honors was our pastor’s daughter. My dad made Dinkey in our basement at our home on Oakwood Drive in Naperville.

On our honeymoon my wife and I stopped at my old home church in Naperville. Keith Martin was there. His note to us said, “Was surprised and happy to see you last Sunday. May God richly bless your marriage. Your old S.S. teacher, Keith Martin.”

Back to Why Keith Martin was Special

No one remembers Keith Martin. He doesn’t show up using internet search engines. He never had any biological children and he never married to my knowledge. However, he had a lasting impact on at least one nine-year-old boy. That boy was me. I think he understood this reminder from the Apostle Paul: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

His labor was not in vain.