A Powerful Punch

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Margaret

This week I’ve been re-immersed in the world of the young, visiting daughter Linnea’s family in Florida. That includes husband Adam and 4 young ‘uns: Skylar (6), Micah (5), Autumn (3), and Isaac (1).

Long-distance grandparenting has considerable limitations, and when I’m invited to join them day-to-day for a while, getting caught up with each one is a joyful process. Though this family traveled to see me in Michigan multiple times in 2014, it’s been a whole year since I’ve been to their home.

My 4 Florida grands are changing faster than I can keep up with. Take their home schooling, for example. This morning I audited their mommy’s history lesson at the dining table and learned all kinds of new things about World War II, Hitler, Stalin, the United Nations, the Cold War, Gandhi, India’s independence, the establishing of the Jewish State, Communism, Mao, and China. And that was all before lunch.

A thirst for knowledge is a wonderful thing, and watching children learn is a delight. But the day’s highlight for me came after school was all over. Actually, it was during a spat between Skylar and Micah. They were bickering about nothing in particular, shouting over each other, when suddenly Skylar said, “Micah! Harsh words make tempers flare!”

Her statement was right out of the Bible,* and I was pleased to hear her recite a previously-memorized verse. More than that, though, was the thrill of knowing she could apply it to everyday life. Linnea, preparing dinner nearby, added the first half of the same verse: “Yes, and a ‘gentle answer turns away wrath’.” Immediately their squabble ended, much like a balloon that’s been poked by a pin.

It reminded me of a scriptural comment about the effect of Jesus’ words on his listeners. “People were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.” (Luke 4:32) Though the Bible tells us he was an ordinary-looking man,** his hearers were amazed that his words packed such a powerful punch.

The Lord’s words still have that same punch, and I believe I saw it at work during Skylar and Micah’s argument. Though children may not be aware of it, when they quote the Bible to each other sincerely, they’re bringing supernatural power to bear on whatever’s going on at the time.

Not that every childhood argument will immediately stop when a verse is spoken, but it very well might be. God honors his Word and says it’s influential when verbalized.*** And when a child has been taught to respect and honor what he says, surely the impact is all the greater.

“Amazed, the people exclaimed, “What authority and power this man’s words possess!” (Luke 4:36)

* Proverbs 15:1 **Isaiah 53:1-2 *** Romans 10:16-17 & Revelation 1:3

Eager Students

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Margaret

It sounds like ancient history now, but back in 1952 I was enjoying 2^nd grade to the max at our local grade school. Each day Mary and I walked across a field to get there and then walked home again for lunch. My teacher, Mrs. Kludy, was a classic schoolmarm who loved her students but ran a tight ship.

I remember the day Mom came to school and explained to Mrs. Kludy and my classmates that I was going to be gone for 2 long weeks. After multiple sore throats, I was scheduled for a tonsillectomy, the preferred treatment at the time.

I loved everything about school, and saying goodbye that day was hard. Not only would I fall behind in my work, but I’d be away from my school chums.

The surgery and early days of recuperation went fine, but I was near tears looking out my bedroom windows watching friends play in the school yard during recess. I longed to be with them, working and playing in our usual routine.

Mom brought comfort in the form of ice cream and Jell-O, but all I wanted was to walk across that field and back into Mrs. Kludy’s room. When I asked Mom if I could go, she said, “Not for another week.”

But I couldn’t wait that long. The next day while Mom was driving Dad to his commuter train, I put on a dress and walked across the field to school, strolling into my room like I’d never been gone.

It felt good to receive the welcome of a room full of 7-year-olds…. until Mrs. Kludy appeared. She walked straight up to me and said, “Margaret, did you check-in with the nurse?”

My heart sank. Both of us knew it was going to be bad news. When the nurse asked to look down my throat, I knew I was on my way home.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we were always that enthusiastic about getting into God’s classroom? Opportunities abound with churches on every corner and Bible studies available every day of the week. There are weekend retreats, mission trips, and family camps. We can listen to sermons online, read good books, and attend small groups. And the fellowship is top notch. Yet we often opt out anyway. And sometimes even when we participate, our thoughts are a million miles away.

I suppose the only way to be eager about God’s school is to have a strong want-to. And that probably doesn’t come without first feeling the need. So when we’re confused, depleted, or suffering, we should view those negatives as positive prompts that will motivate us to get back in school.

And thankfully, God won’t ever send us away, even if we’ve just had a tonsillectomy.

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.” (Psalm 25:4-5)

Trying to Communicate

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Margaret

As two-year-old Emerald learns to talk, she often struggles to make us understand. The other day she said, “Ah-bye-ya? Ah-bye-ya?” Three of us stood in front of her making guesses as if we were a panel playing a word game and she was trying to stump us.

“I by you? Go bye-bye? Oh baby?”

On and on we guessed without getting it right as Emerald repeated her question again and again. Finally frustration got the best of her, and she left the room with a knitted brow. It’s tough not to be understood when you know exactly what you’re trying to say. The gap in communication between us must have been much like what happened at the biblical Tower of Babel.

Although the building project had begun with everyone speaking the same language, before it finished workers couldn’t understand or be understood. Because the language barrier happened abruptly, intense frustration must have been the order of that day, too.

Ever since then, citizens of the world have had trouble understanding each other. Existing languages number about 6500, and most of us know only one of them. I often think of Adam and Eve and their family. What language did they speak? Surely it wasn’t English.

I also wonder about the language of heaven, which I’m hoping will be plopped into all our brains in one instant: grammar, usage, vocabulary and all. (If I have to attend language school once I get there, it’ll be a huge disappointment.)

Words are a most valuable possession, particularly those of the Bible. And since God assures us his Word-of-words is eternal, we’ll probably be reading/hearing it in a brand new language.

Wouldn’t it be nice if the Lord decided not only to put a new language inside our brains but to deposit all of Scripture in there at the same time? No more struggling to memorize, or reviewing to keep it fresh, or looking up references. We would know it, understand it, and have it handy for immediate use. I can’t imagine such a gift!

As for Emerald and her frustration over our not grasping the meaning of “ah-bye-ya?”, a few minutes later she reappeared in front of us with…. her little pink umbrella. “Ah-bye-ya!” she announced in triumph, holding it up for all to see.

Thrilled to connect with her at last, we applauded and said, “Umbrella! Umbrella!” Her broad grin was testimony to the joy of being fully understood. If heaven’s language will make us feel like that, then communicating is going to be great fun indeed!