Nancy Taylor . . . Plain and Tall

Patrician Maclachlan’s Newberry Medal winning book, Sarah, Plain and Tall, is a story of much of what makes for healthy human relationships. As a children’s book, it is the first of five in a series of books about the Witting family and the American settlement of the prairies in the late 19^th century.

When I think about the life of Nancy Taylor, the title of that book jumps out at me in the most positive of ways. Nancy was plain – and by that I mean “no frills” covered up the real person she was. She was tall, at least relatively speaking. 

I don’t remember when I first met Nancy, but Vicki knew her and her family in St. Petersburg , Florida before they came to East Point, Georgia to prepare for ministry. In fact, Vicki says that the fact that Nancy was nearby was one of the reasons her parents allowed her to come all the way to Atlanta Christian College in the Fall of 1969. In a sense that means I owe a great debt to Nancy – had she not been “nearby” I likely would never have met Vicki!

I went to Woodland Christian Camp with Nancy for many years. Often I was the program director and she was “the girl’s cabin overseer.” She also went to camp with other people over the years and I know those people would say the same thing I say about having her at camp. Nancy was made for camp! She could manage not only the campers, but the sometimes maybe-too-young counselors as well and make the week of camp a blessing for all concerned.  For many years, Nancy not only gave of her time, energy, and giftedness to Woodland, she also made monthly gifts to the camp.  It’s that kind of generous heart that models what following Jesus ought to look like.

Nancy worked at what was at the time Atlanta Christian College. She did a variety of jobs, from working in the library to the registrar’s office, then for many years as “the front door” to the academic office. She finished her career at Point working part-time in student life.

But it really didn’t matter where Nancy worked on our campus. Students found her, flocked to her, and learned from her about what life is all about. She led small groups for spiritual formation and had packed-apartment Bible studies in her home on campus. Looking at social media posts about her death, I think as many men posted how influential she had been in their lives as women did. She might not have ever taught in a classroom, but she taught tons of good stuff to students preparing for ministry – men and women!

Nancy never gave up on the church – though some of her life experiences might have caused those not so committed to Jesus to do just that. She didn’t just go to church – she led women’s circles, taught Sunday School classes, stayed in the nursery, visited the sick, and gave generously. 

Nancy loved people and found ways to let them know. Over the past few weeks lots of people have commented to me personally, commented on social media, sent me emails, etc. All of them have a common theme: “I remember when Mrs. Taylor . . . “ That fill-in-the blank spot was filled from things as varied as “made chocolate chip cookies for me” to “made play-time spats with a pair of socks and some buttons.” It might have been filled “gave me some really good advice” or simply “just listened to my story.” 

Sometimes people Nancy’s age who are believers and for whom life hasn’t always worked out as they wished it would have can become bitter. Not Nancy. She would sometimes tell me what some of her peers were saying about Woodland, ACC, or young adults. Rather than being bitter, critical, and negative at the drop of a hat – Nancy simply loved on students, colleagues, and friends in a way that modeled the kind of life Jesus lived. For all of us who were the beneficiaries of that kind spirit, I hope we are allowing it to shape our lives today – including giving up on being overly critical, bitter, negative, and gossipy!

Nancy never learned to drive. How in the world did she raise five boys and not be able to drive! But, Nancy always showed up where Nancy needed to be. She was blessed with some great friends who helped make that happen. My guess is that most people who gave Nancy a ride somewhere were blessed by her company!

But, to go back to the “Nancy showed up where Nancy needed to be” comment. We live in an age where for a variety of reasons we don’t always “show up where we need to be.” It is so tempting to let social media become the substitute for our presence. That could be, at least in part, the reason for the ugly, divisive spirit that permeates our culture right now. We have substituted a Face Book post for presence.

I’m pretty sure Nancy Taylor would never do that. Perhaps we can learn from Nancy . . . Plain and Tall. It could make for healthier human relationships because God seems to honor presence in ways that are amazing. The Word . . . that was in the beginning, was with God, and was God . . . that Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us! (John 1)

Presence. I'll always remember that about our dear friend Nancy . . . Plain and Tall!