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TRUE HOPE
The day will come, says the LORD, when I will do for Israel and Judah all the good things I have promised them. “In those days and at that time I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. In that day Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this will be its name: ‘The LORD Is Our Righteousness.’ (Jeremiah 33: 14-16)
It almost seems impossible that the year 2024 is drawing to an end. Thanksgiving has come and gone, decorations for Christmas have been stocked in stores for weeks already, and each time I’m driving on a dark evening more and more homes are displaying festive decor for this beautiful holiday. I love seeing the variety of decorations that folks choose to decorate houses, porches, yards, trees and bushes–it seems anything is fair game when it comes to lights, wreaths, figurines, etc. And, it seems that with the passing of each year there’s a larger variety of decor to choose from made available in all our major stores. At least it seems that way to me when I reflect on memories from past Christmas seasons.
Ours was a home that dad didn’t deck out with lights. I think he may have done so one year and wasn’t satisfied with too simple of a look. The Christmas tree we put up–usually three weeks before the big day–was always real and for many years we went to a local farm as a family to cut one which was to our liking. Trudging through the snow with my parents and two older brothers was great fun as we squabbled over “getting just the ‘right’ tree”. Hanging the lights and bulbs was a family affair..dad took care of the lights…us kids and mom hung the collection of bulbs, finished off with tinsel and candy canes carefully tucked in the branches.
Mom’s other Christmas decorations were carefully placed on the fireplace mantle and tables. The year dad remodeled the kitchen gave us room to hang garland and bulbs on a shelf which ran the length of one wall, and even small trees were tucked in corners on tiny shelves he had built at the end of the soffit. My parents are gone now. Long gone are those days of decorating my family home. The tiny trees that used to adorn those tiny shelves in mom’s kitchen now sit in my curio cabinet as a reminder of childhood days.
When I was in elementary school, we kids made Christmas advent chains. Using construction paper in red and green, we glued strips formed into circles, making a chain of 25 in all. Each day we were instructed to tear off one circle which helped us “count down” the arrival of Christmas…gifts under the tree…time off school….family dinners…ice skating at our neighborhood rink as well as sledding down hills…we found many ways to take advantage of snow that fell during winter!
One of my favorite aspects of the Advent Season is the wreath and candles for lighting during the four Sundays leading to Christmas Day.Years ago my dad crafted a beautiful advent wreath stand for my home church. Several years ago the congregation closed its doors which had been open for over 150 years. I’ve often wondered if the stand is in a closet somewhere, no longer an active item in Christian celebration.
Each candle has its meaning. This week is the first Sunday in advent– “Hope”. I truly believe it’s an understatement that everyone craves “hope”, especially now in a world where two wars make headlines every day. Changes taking place in our own country are provoking a variety of emotions and opinions, even in our own community.
The Christ child’s anticipated arrival certainly influenced a 2,000 old culture. The Jews of that time, living under Roman rule and oppression, were looking for a king. Upon the arrival of the Christ child and ultimately in his adult ministry, many Jews continued to place trust and hope that “this” messiah was the one to overthrow the Roman government and release them into new freedom. Their “hopes” were greatly misguided and sadly, today, as many people continue to do so–trust and hope is being deferred to people and institutions rather than God.
God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah hundreds of years before the birth of Christ, declaring “to fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah”.
His good promise HAS been delivered and His name is Jesus Christ, the One to be celebrated at Christmas.
I’m excited for the beginning of Advent because of the holy day it ushers in during cold wintry days of December. I’m looking forward to the lighting of the Advent candles during worship each Sunday. As I drive around town and outside our community in the coming weeks, I look forward to beautiful displays…my prayer, however, is that in the midst of reindeer, snowmen, Santas, and angels–all those lovely holiday items–is the inclusion of nativity scenes with “a babe lying in a manger”.
Afterall, Christ is the reason we have Christmas as a worldwide celebration. His birth was prophesied hundreds of years before His appearance. Upon His arrival the world was changed forever, continuing with each passing year, and now believers wait for fulfilment of His return–the “second coming”.
In the meantime, in the waiting, we light this week’s candle of “hope”. As Christians we are encouraged about 129 times in the New Testament to have “hope”. I think God knew we would need this beautiful emotion to embrace, especially when life gets hard. The disciple John ended his writing in chapter 16 with these words from Jesus–”I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”.
As your family embraces the Christmas season, looking for traditions to continue or maybe begin–may you feel encouraged and drawn to join a body of believers to be in community. Together, we can wait with excitement and deep love as Christ is celebrated in the midst of beautiful decorations–but more importantly–empty or hurting hearts ready to be filled with true “hope”!
GOOD & PERFECT GIFTS
Here we are in mid November, actually closing in with December’s arrival in a matter of days following our national holiday Thanksgiving. Holidays can trigger all kinds of emotions, not all of them warm and fuzzy. Some of us grew up in families that looked forward to being together around a festive table laden with delicious food, bantering conversations…all the things that create fond memories. Sadly, some of us grew up in homes that were full of dysfunction, brokenness, arguing…angry families unwilling to reconcile relationships. If you fall into one of those two categories, I am happy for your good memories. If the latter describes your childhood, I am truly sorry. The good news is this–merely because your childhood home was one of bad memories doesn’t mean you need to continue on that path.
My Grandpa Jewell was an angry man for the first 55 years of his life. While I can understand some of his reasons for his anger, it’s also an example of not allowing circumstances to be made into an “excuse” and setting a course for all of life ahead. Though the details are blurry for me, I was told that when he and grandma married, returned from their honeymoon, their meager belongings were packed, placed on the porch of the Jewell family home that he expected to inherit, accompanied by the declaration that “the farm is being given to your sister Clara and her husband”. In the time it took to even breathe during that conversation, their entire future looked bleak. Can I blame my grandfather for becoming angry and embittered?
Grandpa’s resentments, anger, and bitterness were woven into over 30 years of moving from several places in Michigan, farming, working for others and even trying his hand at owning a small business which failed miserably. In those 30 years 11 children came along. Older ones married. The boys enlisted in armed forces which took several off to war battles around the world. In the meantime grandma was steadfast in her faith, persevering in prayer for provision and salvation for her husband.
God always provided somehow. What He did for her He will do for you and me, too. There always seemed to be “just enough” food and salvation came to grandpa when he was 55 years old.
Thanksgiving is the first opportunity in the holiday season where generosity becomes front and center in peoples’ minds. We begin to look for ways we can help someone less fortunate enjoy all that Thanksgiving and Christmas entail. In today’s current economy, sadly there are many families in need. We don’t need to look very far to find who we can help. Families and individuals are in our neighborhood, workplace, church, on your kids’ sports teams, their classrooms…all which we call community.
I’m thankful we have organizations in our community that help families. I’m grateful for the generosity I see in my own church family as we come alongside families struggling to make ends meet. These loving actions remind me of those times my parents willingly helped deliver Thanksgiving meals to families in the neighborhood that surrounded our church in Downtown Saginaw. I also recall an older memory, being told that a neighbor told my grandpa about free food he could get that was provided by the federal government. His stubborn pride kept him from going to the location that housed the goods and when he DID bring canned foods home, he insisted they be kept in the pantry for awhile, as though opening the “first” one meant he had “lost” his will to be the main provider for hungry bellies.
As I said, I don’t know where Thanksgiving this year finds you. If you are well provided for with no worries, give thanks to the One Who has been generous towards you. If you are struggling and God sends someone asking if you need help, lay down fear or pride, and accept the generosity of others.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)
Yes, God is the provider of ALL. He makes generosity possible through organizations, churches, individuals, food pantries … .may your Thanksgiving Day be one of bounty, fond memories, and opportunities to mend any brokenness in relationships.
PUMPKIN SPICE OR APPLE?
When we turn a calendar page from September to October, we are bombarded–in a humorous way–with all things “pumpkin spice” or “apple”. Whether it’s a coffee from a local coffee shop to baked goods, there’s something fun and special about the arrival of our fall favorite delicacies. Personally, I enjoy the flavors both fruits offer so I can’t pinpoint which I prefer.
If you follow me here regularly, you know that I have gleaned many beautiful memories from my Grandma Jewell. I was fortunate to have her in my life for 14 years but much of what I “know” about her has come from memories shared from my dad and his siblings. With Thanksgiving soon approaching I fondly remembered something that happened with Grandma and homemade pumpkin butter.
Life during the depression was very difficult across America and no different for my grandparents struggling to eke out a living on their farm in northern Michigan. The family always had a milking cow or two, but for some reason Grandma faced a stretch where she didn’t have cream to make butter. She did have some pumpkins which she turned into “pumpkin butter”. After all, she needed “something” hungry bellies could slather on her homemade bread.
She and grandpa had an occasion to entertain a male guest at their dinner table. Grandma was embarrassed that she didn’t have any butter to serve, yet she still placed bread on the table to accompany the meal. As coincidence would have it, their guest began reminiscing about his favorite foods. Low and behold he was quoted as sharing “boy, I sure do love pumpkin butter…..” “I haven’t had any in a very long time”.
“Hold on”….Grandma got up from the table, returning from her pantry carrying a huge bowl of pumpkin butter! “Enjoy!” she told him.
His simple memory of a favorite food was what it took to break through her embarrassment and pride, an action that brought joy to both.
I think there are many times we miss a blessing when we allow our fears, embarrassment, or pride to overshadow living authentically. I think of friends who live in big houses as well as smaller ones. Years ago I was jealous of a friend whose home was much larger than ours, complete with an inground pool. After visiting her I was envious for a few weeks until God reminded me that although she and her family had a large spacious home, they were missing one important thing in life. They didn’t have relationships with Jesus. The aftermath and new awareness that resulted from my visit changed my perspective on what truly matters in life.
Yes, I love “all things Fall”–pumpkin spice, apples, falling leaves, changing colors of trees, the fragrance of wood fires in our neighborhood. In a mere few weeks we will all celebrate Thanksgiving where a spirit of gratitude will hopefully be the centerpiece of tables laden with delicious foods.
I’ve never had pumpkin butter in all honesty. Maybe I need to change that and search for a recipe…make a “huge” bowl and serve it with confident joy to all who grace our home with their presence!
PRAYERS & TEARS
Recently my husband and I watched an excellent movie that I stumbled upon while browsing our Prime account. I clicked on “Nicky’s Story” after reading the synopsis and in its beginning I confess I almost turned it off as I thought it was too slow moving and possibly a “sleeper”, the kind of plot that didn’t immediately catch my attention. I was wrong.
This documentary portrays the heroic and passionate events from the life of Nicholas Winton who was responsible for saving 669 Jewish children in the years of Hitler’s reign during World War II. He was able to fill eight different trains to deliver these children safely from Prague to the United Kingdom where he arranged for foster families to care for them.
At the movie’s end, photos of the actual survivors are featured, showing their name, age and the profession each had pursued in life. I was amazed at the number of professionals such as surgeons, scientists, technicians, teachers, etc. All lived to be quite aged and perhaps one of the greatest facts displayed on the screen is that from those 669 children, 5,700 descendants were produced.
In my own family–that of my father’s side–we have our own numbers to boast. My dad was one of 11 children; a baby boy ahead of my dad was born prematurely and survived for 8 days, so my grandmother actually bore 12 children. From my dad and his siblings, I counted 45 cousins. Several of those are deceased now. I’d love to know how many children each of my cousins had but at this point in my life, I honestly have no idea. The addition of second, third and cousins beyond each generational label boggles my mind. Yet, in that uncertainty lies a fact I am confident about–I believe the prayers for my family that were uttered by my Grandma Jewell–those for the salvation of her children–also included her grandchildren as each one came along, trickling down through the next generation and into the present day.
The Bible says that our prayers are stored in heaven. In Revelation 5: 8 it states “…and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people”.
My grandmother’s prayer life was most often in the early hours of the morning. I’ve been told she was awake most nights beginning at 2 am to be in prayer. This was after a long day caring for children, preparing meals, helping with farm chores–all without many modern appliances. It was her habit to pray for her children beginning with the eldest to the youngest. As the boys went off to war, her prayers intensified. As each married, there was a new family loved one tucked inside her heart. And with each new “precious life” added into her growing family, her prayer list grew, filling a golden bowl in heaven.
As beautiful to know that our prayers are forever kept by God, there is also great comfort that He also stores our tears. In Psalm 56: 8 it says “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book”.
My grandmother surely shed her fair share of tears. There was the tragic death of an eldest grandson which happened while in her and grandpa’s care. His dad, my Uncle Bud, had remarried and while on his honeymoon his three children from a first marriage were with my grandparents. Buddy, age 4, ran into the road and was struck by a car. Because of that incident, over the years that we visited my grandparents, we were strictly told not to play by the road.
In 1953, the very day that I was born in November, my Uncle Rusty lost his oldest daughter to polio. She was merely 8 years old. I have no doubt that grandma joined her son and my aunt crying for Sheryl’s precious life, taken by a sickness that later became curable with a vaccine, only too late for her.
Knowing that God stores prayers and tears in heaven gives me a great sense of joy and hope. Nothing you or I talk to Him about or as we sit quietly with tears streaming down our cheeks goes unnoticed by Him. I can think of no greater comfort than those two promises which are recorded for us in scripture. I can only imagine the number of golden bowls and vials God is using to capture every word, every tear from every person from generations past to now.
When I close my eyes, I can see my grandmother in her rocking chair, Bible open on her lap which is covered by her apron, soft hands folded across open pages of a favorite scripture. And while I envision worn pages from years of use, I can also see stains where tears of joy or heartache marked each heartfelt prayer to her Heavenly Father. And I see a golden bowl paired on a table with a vessel of tears. Both are labeled “Sadie Florence Morris Jewell”.
SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH
September is National Recovery Month, a time to celebrate the achievements of those in recovery and raise awareness about substance use and mental health disorders. Through the whole of September, we honor the resilience of individuals overcoming addiction and advocate for the continued support and resources necessary to foster hope and healing. (Credit: growtherapy.com)
No one should have to face their pain alone. We are a grace-filled community of strugglers who courageously enter this safe and beautiful space to get honest about our pain, and the negative ways we may see ourselves, God, and others. In this process, we come to accept that some of the habits we have developed to escape our pain may have hurt us and those close to us. It is a biblically based approach to help us achieve long lasting recovery by healing our hurts, guiding us toward new healthy truths, and developing life-giving habits. (Source: Celebrate Recovery National Website)
There you have it. September is officially recognized as a time to bring recovery needs and struggles out of a person’s darkness and into light that gives healing, release, and most of all–freedom and hope.
For the past few weeks I wrote about observing a sabbath break in our work; I also emphasized that when we choose to follow Christ and receive His plan of salvation we become sons and daughters of God which is our TRUE identity. For too long, there’s been a false impression that once a person becomes a Christian all their problems magically disappear and life is eternal utopia. That false pretense is a lie from the very pit of hell. Although Jesus actually tells us that He came to give us an abundant life, He also reminded us that “in this world you will face many trials”. Trials produce time consumed by hardships, illness, losses, disappointments…and when we face any situation we have but one question to ask of ourselves: Will I give up or will I fight?
At Celebrate Recovery, we choose to lay down denying our problems–many of our own doing–and surrender to learning how to change, how to find hope, how to live in peace in spite of life’s struggles. How do we do this? One of the best ways is to hear from folks who have begun to leave past hurts behind, dig deep into how bad habits and damaged emotions took over living a peaceful joy filled life.
This week, Sept.. 17, at the Fowlerville Celebrate Recovery group you are invited to come hear Erica’s testimony. She came to CR to work on her self-worth, anxiety, fear, anger, and codependency in relationships. She will talk about the effects of an alcoholic and abusive father, his abandonment of her following the divorce of her parents, how she was bullied in middle school. Erica includes in her story the effects of postpartum depression until she sought medical assistance for panic attacks.Thankfully, her story doesn’t end in a sea of negative circumstances–after working the 12 steps of CR she and her husband have been blessed with a new church family, with jobs that provide well for their needs, and above all–a healthy thriving spiritual life!
Through Celebrate Recovery’s ministries worldwide, Jesus is in the business of changing people’s lives! While CR helps with ALL struggles, it’s been our goal for the past several years to bring mental health awareness into the light of Christ, to encourage people not to live in shame or embarrassment if they or a loved one suffers from some form of unhealthy mental well-being.
Our group often hears that local resources are greatly over extended in their efforts to provide services for individuals and families who are in need of help. Although Celebrate Recovery is NOT a substitute for professional help, we ARE a safe place to become part of a group of like minded people working together to achieve wholeness in individuals, families, and our community.
Our CR group meets every Tuesday at 7 pm following a meal which is served at 6 pm.
In addition, children ages 5 through 5th grade may participate in Celebration Place while their parent(s) attend the adult program. Kids get their own time to hear a short lesson and have an opportunity to talk about their feelings while learning helpful coping tools for healthy minds.
If you’d like more information about Celebrate Recovery, you may call Fowlerville UB Church at 517.223.9490; they will put you in touch with me or email: celebraterecovery@fowlervilleub.org.
DO VS. WHO
Identity: The condition of being oneself or itself, and not another. (Dictionary.com)
Or according to Webster: The distinguishing character or personality of an individual”.
We are living in a culture that is heavily persuading us to believe that our identity comes from “what we do” or “our position in society”. Admittedly, in my teens and young adult years I chased after the very things I thought would give me great definition, those very undertakings that I now see as running after foolish goals.
As I’m moving through my study on “The Sabbath”, this week’s teaching focused on “identity”. Too often, we define ourselves as “what we do”–teacher, office worker, physician, engineer, accountant, software analyst, bus driver, research technician, architect, finance officer…the list of professions and employment opportunities is quite extensive. EVERY job or career has value and holds potential for great personal growth and satisfaction. Yet, the results of reaching personal goals is not how God defines you or me. On the contrary, He isn’t interested in what you “do” regarding employment; He’s after your heart. He wants you to identify as His child when you come into a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ.
We read about the Hebrew nation in the Old Testament Book of Exodus who were living under Egyptian rule, making bricks during long work days. If we were to apply the world’s definition of finding identity in “work”, then we could say the Israelites were brick builders. Indeed, that’s the work they were doing, but it isn’t an accurate description of their worth and value to God. In His eyes, they were His people and eventually their freedom comes out of miraculous events by raising up Moses and his brother Aaron to lead them from captivity.
I need to fully understand, and so do you, that “God’s work isn’t defined by His work” (Walking the Text, Brad Gray) Furthermore, you and I are “not our work”…”you are not what you produce”.
If I were to apply my former thoughts of who I was in my 20s and even up to now at age 70, and also factor in a variety of jobs I held, well my identity list would look like this: Children’s Zoo Employee *Receptionist *Administrative Assistant *Management Trainee *Office Clerk *School Board Member *Direct Sales Rep *Serving Roles at My Church
A good read to further cement an understanding that believers in Christ are sons and daughters of God can be found in the book of Galatians, specifically chapter 4. Honestly, I had been feeling flat in my relationship with God for a few weeks. Although I stayed committed to reading scripture, praying and serving, I felt empty until my own pastor taught from this chapter last week. If you’d like to hear his message you can find Fowlerville UB Church sermons on our Facebook Page or YouTube. (Look for Sept. 1, Pastor Eric Griffon)
It breaks my heart–and I can trust it hurts God too–that too many people are getting caught up in false identity definitions. It’s time we find worth and value in what God says about us and not our culture’s loud voices bombarding us with lies. So, who does God say you are? Here’s a few definitions straight from scripture to encourage you:
- You are His beloved child
- You are chosen
- You are a holy temple
- You are made in His image
- You are valuable
- You are His friend
- You are forgiven
- You are redeemed
What I didn’t tell you earlier in this week’s column, that when I was a little girl watching Saturday morning television, Roy Rogers was my hero. I wanted to grow up and be like him. My dream didn’t last long when my hopes of getting a horse were shattered because after all–we lived in the city! In junior high I had great aspirations to become an author. So far I’ve had fun and privilege writing for personal enjoyment and teaching Bible studies over the years. The latter is PART of “what I do” but it doesn’t define who I am.
Hello, my name is Susan, and I’m a daughter of the Most High God. My decision to follow Christ 45 years ago redefined my identity. What He did for me He can do for you! If you’d like to know more about having a relationship with God, please call my church office at 517.223.9490; they will put you in contact with me.
LESSONS IN WORK
Raise your hand if you’ve ever woken up on a Monday morning and mumbled “Argh, I have to go to work today!” I know that those words were part of my mantra far too often during my years of working outside our home. Our culture has slowly groomed us into believing that “work” is something to behold as drudgery and to be despised. What if I told you that this attitude doesn’t have to live rent free in our minds? What if I told you that God designed “work” to be something to embrace with gratitude?
This week I began a personal study of “The Sabbath” under the teaching of some favorite guys from “Walking the Text”, a ministry out of Nashville. These teachers really dig into Biblical texts, often bringing out definitions of specific Hebrew and Greek words to better understand scripture, as well as giving insight to historical and cultural events related to specific writings in all 66 books of the Bible. Here are some bullet points I made from the first teaching:
- Adam “worked” and cared for the Garden of Eden
- Labor has dignity; it’s divine and came “before” the fall (original sin)
- Labor IS painful toil; work/labor is broken
- My work, your work, is a form of worship; the Hebrew word for “work” used in Genesis is “avad” which means to serve, work, worship
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving”. (Colossians 3:23-24)
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them”. (Ephesians 2:10)
I cannot read these two verses and not recall some great examples/lessons I learned from observing how others regarded their “work”. My first recollection is of my brother Mark who had been let go from a welding position. In order to help support their young family, he took a job pumping gas at a local station. One day a fellow he knew pulled in to have his tank filled and he was shocked to see Mark waiting on him. He questioned Mark “why are you working here?!”, with quite an astonished and condescending tone when someone knows your work experience. Mark told him of his current circumstances, and it turned out this guy knew a company looking to hire full time welders. That brief encounter wouldn’t have happened in my opinion if Mark had considered pumping gas “beneath” his dignity. Additionally, my brother eventually returned to Central Michigan University to complete his teaching degree and taught welding and robotics at Mid Michigan Community College until he retired.
When pregnant with our first child, I needed to be hospitalized for a week. During my brief stay I saw two different women come into my room to clean. One was a young woman who swept the floor as though the mop weighed a ton. The other was an older woman who hummed while she cleaned every part of the floor and bathroom as though the Queen of England was coming to visit. I joked with her saying “I bet you don’t feel like doing your own housework after cleaning rooms here all day”. To the contrary, I can still see her beautiful bright smile when she replied “Oh, no. I love to clean! I love to stand back when I’m finished and say ‘my, my, my, doesn’t that look pretty!”
Bottom line is, our adversary Satan wants Christians to believe that work is grinding and yes, it is and can be for some, depending on the intensity of the job.
I would never apply to be a lineman working in seasonal weather challenges, but I’m grateful for the men and women who do every day. Mike Rowe made his series “Dirty Jobs” quite interesting while showing me numerous jobs I’d never set my eyes on!
Office jobs. Farm jobs. Retail jobs. Maintenance jobs. Garbage jobs. Engineer jobs. Teacher jobs. ALL jobs are important and when a right attitude is IN the work, God honors our efforts and even sees it as “worship”.
How do you view your work? I challenge you to pause on your next Monday morning and IF you’ve fallen prey to seeing going to work as “daily grind”, switch gears and thank God for the very work He has assigned you to do. I’m willing to bet you might even begin humming while you work….
FATE, LUCK, REALITY
The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the LORD, And He delights in his way [and blesses his path]. Psalm 37:23 (Amplified Version)
Perhaps one of my personal favorite verses from Old Testament scripture is this one. Why? Because I firmly believe that our lives have God’s influence in the midst of making personal decisions, even when we cannot see it at the time. Often, it’s after “coming” through an experience or extended time of hardship that we can look back and say “ah, I understand the whys now…” Such is an example from my father’s life, a story he did not share with me until he was well into his 70s.
Dad served in the US Navy during World War II. He was assigned to several destroyers during the course of his service and as with many sailors, obtaining a good assignment was foremost in their thoughts. A lot of training took place aboard ships which was crucial for waging war. In one particular training exercise that lasted several weeks, dad was assigned with two other crewmen to dismantle a huge piece of equipment and reassemble it, the end result being to receive a grade and future transfer to another ship. Dad had his sights on a particular assignment which indeed required serving aboard a new ship. Together, dad and the other two men worked, and before long according to dad, it became obvious that he was the one doing the majority of the work, paying attention to detail while the other two were not as serious about matters concerning the exercise. When the final inspection and grades were given, dad received the highest score but the other two men got the coveted transfer to the ship dad had his eyes on to further his career with the Navy.
Instead of accepting the outcome with grace, dad admitted to me he became angry, bitter, and very prideful. He allowed the circumstances produced by the exercise’s outcome to consume him to the point of being taken aside by a commanding officer who told him to basically “get your head out of your ____”….the turning point in the story is when I saw my dad’s eyes fill with tears. By now, as he’s relating this war memory with me for the first time I’ve heard it, he very quietly said, “God saved my life by not allowing me to get that assignment”. Weeping by now, he told me that the very ship those men transferred to–the one he had coveted to serve on–had been sunk and all perished.
My living room was silent for a few minutes when he had finished his heartbreaking recall of that moment, a man in his early 20s, not yet married to my mom, though engaged. But, soon, the silence surrounding both of us was broken again when he continued with an additional component of the story. It wasn’t only that God had protected him, God also used the experience to teach dad another important lesson.
It was during one of his leaves, coming home to Michigan, that he expressed to his father “I sure was lucky not to be on that ship”. Grandpa had a temper. Anyone who knew Clarence didn’t escape that fact. In the heat of fathering an adult son, grandpa declared to dad “Boy! Luck has nothing to do with it. Your mother’s on her knees til 2 and 3 in the morning praying for you and your brothers. I don’t want to hear the word luck ever again in this house!”
Mind you, as I think deeper into the story of dad’s miraculous fate escaping death, another miracle is when he got scolded for using the word “luck”, the tongue lashing came from a father who was not yet a Christian. Yet, God used the faithfulness of my grandma’s prayer life to witness truth to him and though I don’t know the full background of my gramp’s own conversion, he received salvation at the age of 55 or so.
Every person alive has a twisted path of life. Some of us will endure hardships while others will be shielded from similar harsh situations. When faced with obstacles or deep disappointments, we have a decision to make–accept that someone greater than us is in control, someone who sees ahead on the path where our natural eyes are unable to focus in great blurriness which clouds our vision. Like my dad, we can allow ourselves to be consumed by anger and bitterness, or simply breathe and let go and wait to understand the whys and hows of arriving on the other side of seemingly great adversity.
Dad’s recollection of a very upsetting time in his young life left him with important lessons. He learned about failure, about allowing emotions to rule his thoughts, about yielding life to God’s path and not his own.
He also told me that since his scolding from a time in the 1940s, sitting in the comfort of the family home, he never used the word “luck” again … .and you know what? I don’t use that word either. Lesson learned.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8: 28 New Living Translation)
NEW SCHOOL YEAR, NEW OPPORTUNITIES
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8)
Sitting here on a beautiful cool August morning, my thoughts have drifted to children across our country returning to school very soon. Some will begin mid or late August while others have a bit longer vacation that includes Labor Day weekend. No matter the first day’s arrival, summer play in pools and lakes, camping and exotic vacation trips will be replaced with sitting at desks, breaking open textbooks, and joining a sports team or school activity. No matter the activity, active learning will become the focus for our students. At least that’s the goal of parents and teachers overseeing the education of our youngsters.
As a Christ follower, I was curious if the Bible has anything to say about “learning”. A quick search gave me quite a list of scriptures. They were all good but sincerely the one I chose–shown here–describes my personal thoughts regarding education.
My husband and I raised two children, both of whom learned differently from the other. We did our best to create a home that encouraged learning, to be curious, explore, and ask questions. We monitored homework assignments. We got acquainted with their teachers. I had the privilege and time to be a classroom volunteer in their elementary years. There was a stretch where working in the middle school lunch room kept me in touch with the students of our community. I also served eight years on our school board and was able to be a classroom volunteer for two teachers on a regular basis; I did this to be connected with our administration, staff, and again–the kids. Those were great years with many rewarding experiences.
Today, I also reflected on examples of loved ones in my family who embraced the concept of being a “life-long learner”. One of my earliest memories comes from my dad who was an excellent woodworker. My mother asked him to build a small cabinet for their kitchen to store wine glasses and some of her finer serving dishes. He wanted stained glass inserts for the two cupboard doors on the cabinet so he visited a local store where artisans were on staff, got a quote for the project and rejected it due to the cost. His thinking? “I’ll do it myself”. A visit back to the store for a “how-to” book and the necessary supplies was all it took. The cabinet was finished and over subsequent years dad went on to creating beautiful lampshades and other pieces using his newly formed skill.
Another story, one I absolutely love, is from my brother’s career as a welding instructor at Mid Michigan College. He was introduced to an older man, a local farmer well into his 80s, who signed up for one of Mark’s classes. Mark asked him “why are you taking this class?” I imagine the chuckle and gleam in this man’s eyes as he answered “I want to learn something new”...later in another semester this same old fella entered Mark’s classroom to declare “I signed me up for some of that al-gee-bra!” Mark’s response makes me laugh every time…”why would you want to take algebra when you don’t have to!” It’s because a man in his 80s craved and embraced learning.
I’m also recalling with great fondness my Aunt Esther who was an elementary school teacher. If I had to attach a motto to her life it would be: Esther isn’t happy unless she’s learning something new or teaching someone something new”. Teaching and learning were in her blood. By the time Aunt Esther was well into her late 80s and 90s she was still pursuing adding knowledge and skills to her life. It wasn’t until her funeral that I learned she had cultured the ability to paint tea cups and saucers.
Yes, empty schools across America will soon be hustling and bustling with noisy kids. Learners of all kinds will embrace, challenge, and fall into routines meant to prick curious minds and develop skills with each advancing grade. Educating our children is a huge undertaking, one meant to be partnered between our educators and parents. The most important partner role is that of we as parents, as it’s our responsibility to oversee what our child is being taught, encouraging them to ask good hard questions that teach them how to be a critical thinker, to stand on good moral fabric knit together with love, kindness, and goodness.
Unlike the old farmer who “wanted to learn al-gee-bra”, I’m happy years of math are behind me. I don’t have excellent artistic skills like my dad or aunt, but I love reading. Now that I’m not employed full or part time, my days are more carefree, allowing me to read and study a variety of topics for my own personal development.
I think one of the best ways we as parents, as grandparents, as a community, to show our children the importance of learning, is to demonstrate it firsthand. So, what do you want to pursue that you’ve been putting off? Will it be an art class? Maybe learn to dance? Join a fitness center? Get a library card for the first time?
Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.–Socrates
My challenge to each one of us who have children in our lives? Let’s light a few fires and fan the flames.
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