The Gift
I do so remember those days of wonder.
As I sat surrounded by the ladies with their flowered hats and fine gloves upon
their hands. I gazed at the finely dressed gentleman as they would file
past escorting their wives and families to the pew of choice.
I still remember the faint smell of the fine perfumes. I recall the
aroma of the fine woods that adorned the walls of the Sanctuary, seemingly carved
into place, rather than built by carpenters. I remember those days
of my youth in the Presbyterian Church in Abilene Texas, where I
grew up. Little did I know, I would find such kindness in the midst of
so many people, I barely knew at this time. As I would come to know them,
I would find Jews converted to Christianity, whom had escaped the
clutches of Hitler and the Holocaust. I would later be introduced to Representatives of
Government and The Judicial Branch. I didn't know I would
be encouraged in the ways of the narrow road, so strongly, yet so sensibly and effectively
by so many, who held such respect among the local, state and federal community.
I did not know their kindness would so easily mold the mind of a youngster to
always return to the ways of meekness and humility. It was because it was lived out in front of him.
I did not know they could
have chosen for different things to occupy their time. It was chosen, though, to
spend time with a young man, so uncertain of which way to go.
A young man who had lost his dad early in life and had no role model to follow and such a void by his dad's death was left behind.
This young man, had so much responsibility, to care for a sick mom and to do so at such
a young age. Little did he know how much support and caring he would receive
from the folks, he had not met, who filed down the rows and became seated all around him, in this destined Sunday Service.
Little did he know, he sat among greatness, in these people, disguised by the quiet Christian spirit they displayed. Little did this young man know, this day
would change his life forever. He did not know the ones who had been hunted by the crew of Hitler
would open their home and their wonderful library to a young man who loved to read. Days of summer and hours to wile away, reading, amongst the aroma of Black Bread baking in the oven. Mrs. Russell humming in the kitchen.
What would he have thought? this day had he known all of the kindness he would receive from those who chose to stop and turn and
notice a young man who wasn't as privileged as they had been. A young man they would choose to impact so strongly by
just being a loving extended family to him.
Long into the nights of worry, in days to come, he would remember his reliance upon God for strength which
he had learned from the Sunday School teacher, the lawyer, the doctor, the financier, the Bus Driver, who held one thing in common, the ability to love a child and make it seem so natural, so authentic, so genuine. The offer of Christ with skin on to touch and feel the Love to share.
Those days would stay with him all of his life and would be an example of Christ, for the child did not receive what he deserved
he was given a savior, instead. A Christlike manner was lived out in front of this young man all the days of his youth by
giving people who chose to shape a life, by love. Later, The Gift of Salvation, when offered, seemed natural to accept.
It was all because of so many who chose to sacrifice a little bit of time to say, a word or two, or lead a step, or two, or even sometimes, caution of the wrong steps of the current pathway.
Most of all, the memories changed a life from what could have been a very different outcome for a boy with no leading to follow in the right was.
I see the American Soldier as a representative of this type of sacrifice. It is the ultimate sacrifice to lay down one's life for that of another. The American Soldier does this everyday. There are no parades everyday to thank him. There are no guarantees of a restful retirement.There are no promises of anything period. The Soldier goes because of what he feels inside a yearning desire to serve a higher calling. To submit their talents to combine, one for all, in unselfish service and duty to achieve a common Good for all.
It is my prayer today that each would receive Jesus Christ as Savior and know the peace a little boy received to guide him through the toils of life.
Today In Service: This Hymn, as sung, returned so sweetly to me. I remember each Sunday, as a child, singing this, but I did not know then, why today, it would bring such warm memories and meaning.
The Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all ye creatures here below
Praise Him above all ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Oh gather before His throne and praise His name
Lord of mercy and faithful love that never ends
Called to be holy people, we are His alone
Singing His praises now and ever more
CHORUS
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all ye creatures here below
Praise Him above all ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost
As I sat surrounded by the ladies with their flowered hats and fine gloves upon
their hands. I gazed at the finely dressed gentleman as they would file
past escorting their wives and families to the pew of choice.
I still remember the faint smell of the fine perfumes. I recall the
aroma of the fine woods that adorned the walls of the Sanctuary, seemingly carved
into place, rather than built by carpenters. I remember those days
of my youth in the Presbyterian Church in Abilene Texas, where I
grew up. Little did I know, I would find such kindness in the midst of
so many people, I barely knew at this time. As I would come to know them,
I would find Jews converted to Christianity, whom had escaped the
clutches of Hitler and the Holocaust. I would later be introduced to Representatives of
Government and The Judicial Branch. I didn't know I would
be encouraged in the ways of the narrow road, so strongly, yet so sensibly and effectively
by so many, who held such respect among the local, state and federal community.
I did not know their kindness would so easily mold the mind of a youngster to
always return to the ways of meekness and humility. It was because it was lived out in front of him.
I did not know they could
have chosen for different things to occupy their time. It was chosen, though, to
spend time with a young man, so uncertain of which way to go.
A young man who had lost his dad early in life and had no role model to follow and such a void by his dad's death was left behind.
This young man, had so much responsibility, to care for a sick mom and to do so at such
a young age. Little did he know how much support and caring he would receive
from the folks, he had not met, who filed down the rows and became seated all around him, in this destined Sunday Service.
Little did he know, he sat among greatness, in these people, disguised by the quiet Christian spirit they displayed. Little did this young man know, this day
would change his life forever. He did not know the ones who had been hunted by the crew of Hitler
would open their home and their wonderful library to a young man who loved to read. Days of summer and hours to wile away, reading, amongst the aroma of Black Bread baking in the oven. Mrs. Russell humming in the kitchen.
What would he have thought? this day had he known all of the kindness he would receive from those who chose to stop and turn and
notice a young man who wasn't as privileged as they had been. A young man they would choose to impact so strongly by
just being a loving extended family to him.
Long into the nights of worry, in days to come, he would remember his reliance upon God for strength which
he had learned from the Sunday School teacher, the lawyer, the doctor, the financier, the Bus Driver, who held one thing in common, the ability to love a child and make it seem so natural, so authentic, so genuine. The offer of Christ with skin on to touch and feel the Love to share.
Those days would stay with him all of his life and would be an example of Christ, for the child did not receive what he deserved
he was given a savior, instead. A Christlike manner was lived out in front of this young man all the days of his youth by
giving people who chose to shape a life, by love. Later, The Gift of Salvation, when offered, seemed natural to accept.
It was all because of so many who chose to sacrifice a little bit of time to say, a word or two, or lead a step, or two, or even sometimes, caution of the wrong steps of the current pathway.
Most of all, the memories changed a life from what could have been a very different outcome for a boy with no leading to follow in the right was.
I see the American Soldier as a representative of this type of sacrifice. It is the ultimate sacrifice to lay down one's life for that of another. The American Soldier does this everyday. There are no parades everyday to thank him. There are no guarantees of a restful retirement.There are no promises of anything period. The Soldier goes because of what he feels inside a yearning desire to serve a higher calling. To submit their talents to combine, one for all, in unselfish service and duty to achieve a common Good for all.
It is my prayer today that each would receive Jesus Christ as Savior and know the peace a little boy received to guide him through the toils of life.
Today In Service: This Hymn, as sung, returned so sweetly to me. I remember each Sunday, as a child, singing this, but I did not know then, why today, it would bring such warm memories and meaning.
Psalm 9:2 (New International Version)
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all ye creatures here below
Praise Him above all ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Oh gather before His throne and praise His name
Lord of mercy and faithful love that never ends
Called to be holy people, we are His alone
Singing His praises now and ever more
CHORUS
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all ye creatures here below
Praise Him above all ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Psalm 9:2 (New International Version)
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High
posted by Michael Basham at
9:22 PM
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