He was a simple guy but there was something about him that drew him into my heart and gave him the title of Dad. It was a time of change for me and God knew I needed a father figure since my dad was many thousands of miles away. He was only the third man who had earned that title in my life so you know I valued him highly. He was thoughtful and kind; dedicated to God and his wife. He was always ready to encourage me or offer a clever remark. His Jewish roots just made the bond all the deeper. He was the first one who ever wrote a poem for me and in turn inspired me to try my hand at rhyme as well. I spent many happy hours and weekends at the home in the mountains. God gave me a gift when I needed it most in my "bee parents". It was hard when I received the call late last year that he was declining, but though bedridden, he had so much strength left and surprised everyone by hanging on for 14 more months. In May I was able to see him one more time. We shared in music, he on his harmonica, me on the violin. We talked. We laughed. We cried. And we prayed. He didn’t want us to leave. It was hard. He endured 7 more months of pain and on December 14, the day after my own father’s birthday, he was finally able to rest. My only regret is that I didn’t take the time to call once more when he came to mind last week. For that I am truly sorry. Dad Bee was a very special man. I will miss his humor, his thoughtfulness, his sweet singing, his honesty, his prayers, and his love. Now he rests, but in a little while he’ll see the King! “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-58) His poems for me...
_____ WB – 11/24/10 An evergreen tree Like Kimberly Alive, ever growing As the sower sowing As the blossom blooming Like a cannon booming As a sunny day Not gloomy or gray. Full of joy and mirth Blest the day of birth Standing tall and strong She sings God’s song. _____ To my sweet daughter, Little lady with aburn hair, I see you there Lite up with joy, Confident in the Lord, Hard working, never bored. What will you do? Yes, God will lead you, As life is flowing, May His love enfold you, May His thoughts now mold you, May His wisdom guide you, And His power abide you. Little lady, barely tall, Blessings to you-all. Love from your adopted Jewish/gentile father, WB - 12/15/10 _____ My Blessing Upon You 4/16/11 – WB Little Miss, thy beaming face so bright, Another day older, thy burdens are light, Life flows on, time reads always right, And no matter what, you must do what’s right. Life does have meaning as nature tells clear, Look to the blossom, to the robin so near, They all tell us that in God there’s no fear, For He will care for us, every day of the year. All the blessings lie before you I know, Protected and guided wherever you go. So expect great adventure will grow Wherever He leads you. And so-- Take no thought for tomorrow, today, The angels of mercy will follow your way, And though the road be rough, never say, “Life is so hard,” at the end of the day. For Little Miss, your destiny Is to lighten and brighten history, To bless the downtrodden in misery, To give hope to all, your ministry, Kimberly! _____ Going Onward WB - 6/5/11 Kim-ber-ly, Watchah see? Can't see to far-- Kim-ber-ly, Alabamee, The door's ajar. Take this step, Kim Just lean on Him The path is there With never a doubt With hope all about To guide and to care. The course may be new The way have no view Yet, new vistas will rise The future will fly O're a field that is nigh And open the skies. Fear not, only joy That you're new-employ Not to work alone Free to expand your wings To attain great everythings To reap what you've sown. Oh, such a vision Before you, and decisions But great be His love Great in His shadow You'll be as you grow Destined for above.
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Jean was visiting her neighbor Shirley at her house next door. As they chatted Jean felt a little strange, then it happened, her second child was ready to see the world. "You better get to the hospital!" Shirley warned, the urgency in her voice. Jean's husband Paul didn't waste much time and soon they were welcoming their precious little boy into this world, Gary Michael.
A lot has changed since that day, 68 years ago. That little boy is no longer the precious baby in his mother's arms, but rather a grown man with children of his own. I didn't know him all those years ago, but I know him now in ways that few ever will, because I am his daughter. Though our time together has been broken up over the years, much of who I am is because of this man. I could write the same of my dear mother, and so much more, but that's for another time. This tribute is for the first man in my life who encouraged me, corrected me, listened to me, appreciated me, held me, and who most of all loved me. Dad wasn't perfect, he messed up, he didn't know how to be a father, but he tried, he did the best he knew. And for that, despite all the shortcomings, I'm grateful. If there is one thing that I never needed to question, that was beyond a shadow of a doubt, it was that Dad loved me and believed in me. There were times when he didn't understand my choices, when he didn't approve of my decisions, but I knew he just wanted the best for me. He made sure I knew his thoughts, but in the end, he let me live my life and find my way. Through the years Dad would tease me, "you're my number one daughter," to which I would always reply, "I'm your ONLY daughter." I owe so much to this man--my humor, my love of words, my sense for money, my heritage, my love for time, my interest in people, and the list goes on...I am my father's daughter. Yes, sometimes that isn't so good and I've had to recognize my weaknesses, but also my strengths. Whether we like it or not, we are a reflection of our parents. Our challenge is to take the good and shun the bad. Today I want to acknowledge the good. So Dad, thank you for all that you have given me. The coming years will hold new challenges, life is ever changing, but no matter what, you will always be my first and dearly loved dad! No one can ever take that place in my heart. My prayer for your new year is that you will know God's redeeming grace personally, that you will walk with Him sincerely, and that His love will transform your life and make it into something more beautiful than you could have ever dreamed. Happy Birthday! I love you! Have you ever had the feeling that someone was praying for you? There have been several times in my life when I just had to stop and wonder, "Is someone, somewhere, praying for me?" I never had the confirmation that this was indeed happening at that particular moment but I am quite sure that somewhere in this world, at sometime, someone has prayed for me. I've prayed for them too. Is that a strange thought? To pray for someone you haven't met or don't know who they are? It may be strange, but it's also special. Yes, I've prayed that God would mold them for His service, that they would be true to principle, that God would teach them the precious truths that have grown near to my heart, that they would be strong and pure, thoughtful and kind, that they're feet would be planted on a sure foundation, that God would raise up faithful mentors to guide and encourage, that they would be courageous and victorious in the battles of life, and sometimes I've just prayed that they would have a special blessing on that very day...Yes, I've prayed for someone I don't know and may not have even met yet, and I have a strong feeling that they have prayed for me too.
You know what though? This idea isn't so strange, it's not even a new idea. Many, many years ago, before I was born, before you were born, someone prayed for me, and someone prayed for you too. Someone prayed that we would become all that we could be, that we wouldn't give up, that our faith would not fail. That someone was Jesus. In Luke 22:32, Christ said, "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not..." Jesus said those words over 2000 years ago but He speaks them still to you and to me. That's amazing; that's an amazing love. Friend, when you're discouraged know someone is praying for you; when your strength feels like it's going to fail, know someone is praying for you; and even when your day is full of sunshine and you just feel like smiling, know someone praying for you. Always remember, someone has prayed for you, someone is praying for you, and someone will pray for you. Keep following our Example. This little one...four years ago she became my first violin student. At times I wondered if she would be my last too. It wasn't easy. I felt far from qualified to fill the position as her teacher, and she felt far from willing to rise to the challenge of learning the instrument. It was hard. We both wanted to give up, but we kept going through tears and smiles. Four years later she's still playing, and I'm still teaching (now to 7 other students). While I am no longer her violin teacher she will always have a special place in my heart. She has been the subject of countless prayers, not just for playing the violin, but for becoming all that God wants her to be. Today on her 13th birthday, this is what I want to say......
Dearest A---, I’ll never forget the day your dad came up to me in the ---- chapel and asked if I would teach you violin. I felt far from qualified for the job, but he was persistent. Thus began our journey together, you learning the violin, me learning to teach. It was a process. We both definitely had our challenges, we both wanted to give up at times, but we didn’t! Four years later I sit back and rejoice in the progress you have made and woman you are becoming. Even though those weekly lessons were far from easy, I wouldn’t trade that time with you. You were my first violin student, my special little friend. Now you are entering a new phase of life. You’re growing up. There will be new challenges to face. Things won’t be easy, but as you have done with the violin, keep pressing forward. Never let the difficulties overcome you. With the strength of Jesus you can conquer every trial and master every challenge. God has a special place for you in His service. He has given you many talents and gifts. Use them to honor Him and you will be blessed. Always remember that you are of infinite value. Have a very happy birthday and a wonderful new year! Life. What does that word even mean? What is life all about anyway? Have you ever had those thoughts? Yes yes, we know the “right” answer—glorify God and win souls for the kingdom of heaven. But what does that look like day to day? What does it feel like? Isn’t it strange…we get up each day, we eat, we work, we may do some extra things that we enjoy—or not so much—we go to bed, only to repeat the whole process again. Life.
Giving up. Have you ever wanted to give? Give up on a situation; give up on a person; give up on a relationship; give up on a project; give up on doing what you’ve always done; just give up. Life seems dead, like it doesn’t really matter. You look around at those you love, and you ask, How have I really made a difference in their lives? Your ideas and standards are met with scorn or at best as simply “your own opinion,” nothing worth embracing, not even worth studying to see how those conclusions were made. You stand alone. It’s painful to hear the comments, the encouragement in worldly ways. You’ve failed. Failed in sharing truth even amongst your closest friends. So you’ve given up. Then you try to settle it in your mind, Your job isn’t to convince, it’s only to plant seeds. But that doesn’t change how discouraged you feel inside. Life. I’ve been there. I know what those thoughts and feelings are like. I became a Christian when I was 13-14 years old. Life went on and with it ups and downs in my spiritual walk. There were times when I was "alive" and when I was "dead." Those early years were in a way some of the hardest because you’re learning how to walk the straight and narrow, and yet they were also some of the easiest because you see your need and you know that God is the only one who can help you. As time passes the challenges in the Christian walk change form. It’s easy as the years roll by to get complacent, to just go along, whatever happens happens. We lose our sense of priorities. It takes place oh so subtly. After being in this Christian journey for many years I began to really struggle. It was a different type of struggle than I had experienced before. I just felt like giving up; giving up on work; giving up on friendships; just giving up. My purpose for life was dying. I want to take you back to when the climax came…. It was a Sabbath afternoon. I had been with friends for most of the afternoon but I just wasn’t there, mentally. Finally I left the group and went for a walk. I want you to put yourself there. You’re walking, walking, walking. Your mind is full and you begin to ask yourself questions… Why do certain things matter? Why should it matter if anyone appreciates what I do? Why should it matter when it seems like it’s a waste of someone’s time to talk with me? Why should it matter if anyone is interested in what I have to say? Why should it matter if anyone accepts the truths I have learned about music, dress, personal appearance, conversation, or anything else? Why should it matter if no one likes my singing or playing? Why should it matter if no one supports my efforts? Why should anything I do or say matter? And then it’s as if God speaks through the storm of your thoughts, It matters to you only if your sense of value and worth comes from those things. If no one ever stopped to talk to you or was interested in what you had to say, if no one ever commented on how they appreciated your contributions, if no one ever made you a priority in their life, if no one ever supported you in anything, would you still do it? And if you wouldn’t, why? Would you feel worthless? I’ve been a fairly confident, secure individual, most of my life. But I also have had a sense of being highly valued by those around me. When that is stripped away and you’re left with just being one among many, do you feel worthless? That is not what makes us valuable. On that Sabbath afternoon walk I knew that truth, intellectually but there was a heart problem. When you find someone sprawled on the ground you immediately check their level of alertness. If they are unresponsive then you check for a pulse and signs of life. If none, then you begin CPR. What are you trying to do? Get the heart pumping—there’s a heart problem. They need to be revived. “Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from the spiritual death.” (E. G. White, Christian Service, p. 42) In one of my favorite books it asks, “Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts? Of whom do we love to converse? Who has our warmest affections and our best energies? If we are Christ's, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest thoughts are of Him. All we have and are is consecrated to Him. We long to bear His image, breathe His spirit, do His will, and please Him in all things.” (E. G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 58) “The world claims the heart; but that heart belongs to the One who redeemed it. If given to the world, it will be filled with care, sorrow, and disappointed hopes; it will become impure and corrupted.” (E. G. White, Messages to Young People, p. 407) Are we filled with care, sorrow, and disappointed hopes? We have a heart problem. On that Sabbath afternoon as I was walking alone, God said, You have a heart problem. If I were never able to speak without fumbling along, if I always squeaked and messed up when playing an instrument, if I couldn’t hit a right note for anything when I sang, if I were never able to get anyone to do anything, if I was never good enough for people or my work appreciated, I would still be of value. The tears streamed down my face. Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane saw me, He saw you. He was misunderstood and forsaken by EVERYONE. NO ONE SUPPORTED HIM OR APPECIATED HIM. And yet, He did it anyway. In the midst of His suffering and pain He saw me [put yourself there] and He said, “I’ll do it for her.” As the great drops of sweaty blood were dripping down His troubled face and He clung to the ground in anguish, He said, “She is precious to Me. I want her to be with me for all eternity. I’ll do it for her.” WOW ME! He valued me of infinite worth (put yourself there), not because I could do anything for Him, but because He loved me. He wants to be with me. He wants to hear what I have to say, with all my imperfect, stammering words, and He’s the BEST listener ever. He wants to talk with me. He never considers time with me a waste. He never belittles my comments or ideas. If I am wrong, He seeks to redirect me. He loves me, not for what or who I am. He sees in me something He wants to polish and make beautiful. I wanted to give up. I failed; failed in friendships; failed in serving; failed in so many areas. I was dissatisfied with life. What did it all mean? What was it all for? It's hard to keep going when you feel like it's all a waste--all worthless. So you have to ask, why? You have to get to the root--it’s a heart problem. In the garden of Gethsemane Christ looked down through the ages and saw you. "I want that one to be with Me for all eternity. I'll go to Calvary for them." That thought breaks my heart, but also sets me free. That’s what gives me revival. |
SolominaEverything in life has meaning. There's a lesson in every object, every situation, every process. I want to go deeper, in a higher way. I want to listen, to understand, to know. Archives
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