(December 2000 Edition)
The following is a list of this month's articles.
Editorial - Coping with Disappointment
Exhortation - At the Lord's Table - Guidance from Scripture
Editorial
Coping with Disappointment
Blaming ourselves
It is wrong to haunt and recriminate ourselves because we have not been successful in
an exam. Paul teaches us that there are no social levels in Christ, and that each
individual part of the body is vital to the functioning and balance of the whole body. In
the Truth every one is equal, educated or not. As such we should show the same concern for
one another.
Know our part
Let us be careful of our true values in life. God tells us that "the world and its
desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever" (I John 2:17).
It behooves us to know our true path and press quietly but surely on. We often need
encouragement in times of failure, for it is easy to slip and lose our grasp and give up
on ourselves. We are told in Psalm 34 that the eyes of the Lord are upon the upright, and
His ears are open to the pleading of the godly. God is very near to the patient heart, and
so ready to defend those of humble spirit. Though a hundred trials beset the innocent, the
Lord will bring them safely through.
Relying on our own strength
We fight foolishly to organize our lives, relying on our own strength, when we are told so
often that God takes care of His friends’ lives as we would our most precious
treasures. Malachi 3:16-18 has been a great comfort to me in my low times. Failing an exam
does not mean that God has blotted your name out of the Book of Life. So be courageous. It
is better to pray than to sit down and cry. Look around and see the vast number of people
who are living happily in the Lord despite outward failure and even despair. They are of
poor educational background but they are taken care of by our great Creator.
God holds up those who stumble
When Jezebel threatened Elijah’s life he was frightened and went on a journey of his
own devising – running away from his problems. He begged God to put an end to his
life because of his miserable failure (I Kings 19). But God remembered Elijah and appeared
to him in a still small voice and guided him back to the path which he was treading for
Him. And James reminds us that Elijah was a man of passions and feelings just like
ourselves (5:17). It is so easy to doubt and lose faith, to despair and get anxious for
tomorrow, not remembering that the Lord our God holds up those who stumble (Isa.
40:30-31). He is a very present help in times of trouble.
A lesson to be learned
For some, failing an exam is a challenge to be conquered. For others passing an exam is a
real struggle but success comes eventually. And for some it is an impossible obstacle.
It might just be that an important lesson is to be learned from that failure. Paul asks us to endure infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecution and distress for Christ’s sake, for when we are weak, then are we strong. This is the best attitude we can take toward the problems we face. The very hairs of our head are all numbered, so God knows the very intimate details of our lives. Take failures patiently, for "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Leave the past behind
If we believe that our heavenly Father is in control of our lives, we take comfort that He
will never bring upon us more than we are able to bear, and will always help us to deal
positively with our disappointments. This thought should fill our minds with hope as we
look at the walls we have to face in our lives. Instead of complaining, let us thank God
for His love. Like Paul, we leave the past behind and with hands outstretched concentrate
on what lies ahead and go straight for the goal – the reward and honour of being
called by God in Christ.
The way to peace
One way of fully appreciating peace is to experience the anxieties and distractions of
life and learn to reach peace through them. Paul advises us, "Do not be anxious about
anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7).
In John 14:27 Jesus encourages us: "Let not your hearts be troubled." The days in which we live are loaded with anxieties. Our close contact with God’s word and the throne of grace will be our source of strength.
Think it not strange, beloved,
If sometimes every door seems closed,
And all thine efforts be opposed,
But calmly wait in patience till
The Master shall reveal his will.
Nor think it strange
When darker grows the narrow way.
Press on. Thy Master soon shall say,
"Enough, my child, thou hast well done.
Come, enter in, the prize is won!"
Gerzel Gordon
Exhortation
At the Lord's Table - Guidance from Scripture
Why should we
read the Book of Proverbs?
"For acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and
fair" (1:3).
DO NOT…
"Do not accuse a man for no reason – when he has done you no harm"
(3:30).
"The Lord hates a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension
among brothers" (6:16-19).
"Whoever spreads slander is a fool" (10:18).
"A gossip separates close friends" (16:28).
"Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam: so drop the matter before a dispute
breaks out" (17:14).
"He who loves a quarrel loves sin" (17:19).
"An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city" (18:19).
"Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord,
and he will deliver you" (20:22).
"Do not testify against your neighbour without cause" (24:28).
"Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is the man who gives false testimony against
his neighbour" (25:18).
My message is: take those Proverbs to heart!
Patrick Rodney
TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR OUR HOME
- Keep chains on your tongue and always say less than you think. Cultivate a pleasant, persuasive voice. How you say it often counts more than what you say.
- Make promises sparingly and keep them faithfully.
- Never let an opportunity pass to say a kind word to somebody. Praise good work, regardless of who did it.
- Be genuinely interested in others. Let everyone you meet feel that you regard him or her as a person of importance.
- Be cheerful. Keep the corners of your mouth turned up. Hide your pains, worries and disappointments under a smile.
- Keep an open mind on all controversial questions. Discuss without arguing. It is possible to disagree and yet be friendly.
- Never engage in gossip. Make it a rule to say nothing about another unless it is something good.
- Be careful of other people’s feelings. Laughing at another’s expense is rarely worth the effort, and it may hurt when least expected.
- Pay no attention to cutting remarks that others may make about you. Learn to live above such comments.
- Don’t be anxious about your rights. Let the satisfaction of helping others serve as its own reward.
Presented to prospective residents of and visitors to The Pines Nursing Home, George Town.
AND TEN MORE COMMANDMENTS TO THINK ABOUT
- Thou shalt not worry, for worry is the most unproductive of all human activities.
- Thou shalt not be fearful, for most of the things we fear never come to pass.
- Thou shalt not cross bridges before you come to them, for no one has yet succeeded in accomplishing this.
- Thou shalt face each problem as it comes. You can only handle one at a time anyway.
- Thou shalt not take problems to bed with you, for they make very disruptive bedfellows.
- Thou shalt not borrow other peoples’ problems. They can better care for them than you can.
- Thou shalt not try to relive yesterday for good or ill. It is forever gone. Concentrate on what is happening in your life and be happy now.
- Thou shalt be a good listener, for only when you listen do you hear different ideas from your own. It is hard to learn something new when you are talking, and there are probably a few people who do know more than you do.
- Thou shalt not become bogged down by frustration, for ninety percent of it is rooted in self-pity and will only interfere with positive action.
- Thou shalt count thy blessings, never overlooking the small ones, for a lot of small blessings add up to a big one.
E.M.C.
[Only initials supplied. Ed.]
What do you see, nurses, what do you see?
What are you thinking when you look at me?
A crabbed old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with faraway eyes,
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply
When you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you’d try!"
Who seems not to notice the things that you do,
And forever is losing a pen or a shoe;
Who unresisting or not, lets you do your will
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill?
Is that what you’re thinking? Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, you’re not looking at me.
I’ll tell you who I am as I sit so still,
As I move at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I’m a small child of ten with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters who love one another.
A young girl at sixteen with wings on her feet
Dreaming that soon now a lover she’ll meet.
A bride soon at twenty – my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.
At twenty-five now I have young of my own
Who need me to build a secure happy home.
A woman of thirty, my young now grow fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.
At forty my young now will soon be all gone
But my man stays beside me to see I don’t mourn.
At fifty once more babies play round my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead.
I look at the future, I shudder with dread.
For my young are all busy rearing young of their own,
And I think of the years and the love I have known.
I, an old woman now and nature is cruel
‘Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body it crumbles, grace and vigour depart,
And now there’s a stone where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcase a young girl still dwells
And now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
And I’m loving and living my life over again.
I think of the years all too few – gone so fast!
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, nurses, open and see…
Not a crabbed old woman – look closer – see me.
Phyllis McCormack