Searching for Abram Weaver
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Hutto, Texas. As of the last census, its population was just shy of 20,000 people, and it’s now a quick exit off the Austin bypass. Hutto, Texas is significant to me because I read there is a historical landmark there bearing my great-great grandfather Abram Weaver’s name.
Toward the end of his life, Abram Weaver, a Baptist preacher and leader of the faith, founded the Hutto Baptist Church in the late 19th century. In addition to his work in Hutto, he also raised the money for First Baptist Dallas’ first ever sanctuary, $500.00, and helped move Baylor University from Independence, Texas to its current Waco home. Abram Weaver, an itinerant pastor, got around. I have always wanted to stop and check out the church, if it still existed, and the historical landmark, but either I was short on time or I was traveling with someone else.
So on my recent return trip from San Antonio back to North Texas, I was by myself and not on a schedule, so I decided to stop in Hutto and search for Abram Weaver’s landmark.
I found the location where the landmark was supposed to be, but there was no church, and no historical marker that I could see. I didn’t want to give up too easily, so I located the Chamber of Commerce office and asked the young woman running it if she knew anything. She was not aware, but looked it up on her computer, only to come up empty handed. In the course of our conversation, I told her I was in ministry, and she followed with the question, “Are you an author?” I told her yes, and felt a tug to give her our latest book. She was elated, then connected with me on Facebook.
When I returned home disappointed, I did more searching on Google, and found a worship leader and country singer named “Abraham Weaver.” Because he worked in the Austin area, I thought there was an outside chance we were related, so I contacted him via Twitter. As it turned out, we were not kin, but I connected him with another award-winning Christian country singer I know who I thought could help him, and shared his church website with my son, and a friend’s son who live in Austin.
When I look back at my quest to find Abram Weaver’s historical landmark, I realized in a sense, I did. My great-great grandfather was all about helping people along the journey. Even though I did not find the marker with his name on it, God used me to reach out to a couple of his children, during the process, just like Abram would have done. I believe he is a part of that “great cloud of witnesses” in Heaven watching, with interest, as I travel similar roads to the ones he traveled.
Dear sisters and brothers, sometimes we don’t realize our dreams, but God is still at work. There are heartbreaks, disappointments, and unmet expectations, but our Lord is reaching people, and polishing us in the midst of these things. Don’t ever discount what happens on the journey, even if you never find what you are looking for.
Pastor Tony Evans says, “If you lose sight of God taking you somewhere and all you can see is “unfair” then you are going to lose out on God using you where you are while you get to where he is taking you.” That’s a quote you need to chew on for a minute.
Every day presents an opportunity to shine for Christ. Will you embrace that opportunity, or will you sulk because of roadblocks along the way?
Abram Weaver was a man of great faith. Like his namesake, Abram from the Bible, he traveled to wherever God directed. His own personal journey began in North Carolina. In the late 19th century, moving from North Carolina to Texas was quite the trek, and there were many ministered to by Abram along the way.
To end, here is the last paragraph from Abram Weaver’s three-page autobiography, that I cherish. As you read this, ask yourself, “How am I making the most of my journey?”
“I was engaged in the active work of the ministry just fifty years. During that time, I preached more than three thousand sermons to more than three hundred thousand people. I superintended the building of three, up to date, new churches, and three good parsonages. I baptized over two thousand persons, married a great many, smoothed the dying pillow of hundreds, whom I shall see again, ‘Beyond the sunset’s purple rim.’ I lament my inefficiency, repent my mistakes, love my Redeemer and hope to find rest in Heaven. This last line is written, April 4, 1913.”
Rev. Abram Weaver passed away on February 27, 1919 in Georgetown, Texas at the age of 94 years. He fixed his eyes on Jesus and ran the race set before him with endurance. My prayer for all of us is that we will do the same.