VIEWPOINT

“All too rarely does a person enter your life who consistently exudes spirituality and intellectual curiosity combined with an equal quotient of charm and graciousness, yet such was both the character and personality of Mary Trim Anderson.”  Those are the words that Perry Cotham, minister and author, used to describe my aunt. 

My cousin put it this way:  “She touched and was touched by several thousand students in her forty-five years as a teaching professional, and she never lost her thirst for knowledge.  She devoted her life to the study and teaching of the word of God, and left footprints for Christ wherever she trod.” 

I’ve always learned from Trim and I’ve been challenged by her.  I think most important now is that her memory stimulates me to be better – a better student, a better proclaimer of the Word, and better person.  I am thankful for that memory. 

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Getting together with family always produces many opportunities for reminiscence.  My father has been reflecting on our forbears and sharing some of the stories with me.  My great-grandfather was a minister and an educator.  Before becoming superintendent of Nashville Bible School, he conducted a school at Hillsboro, Tennessee.  The high school portion offered a wide range of subjects including daily spelling lessons:  one page of the dictionary, including definitions!

Like my own father, he was named William Anderson.  On one occasion there was a member in the congregation who had become obstinate in his misbehavior. The men of the church said, “Send Brother Will – he’ll know what to say to him.  So the two men met on the farm and sat down on a log to talk over the problem.  William said, “This isn’t just between you and me – it is the Lord to whom you must give an account.”

On another occasion William was given the task of preaching the funeral for his younger half-brother.  He had died at an early age, having sown more than his share of wild oats.  In those days, it was often the custom to proclaim doom over a deceased person whose character was suspect, and there was much talk about what William would say about his brother.  Wisely, however, Will chose only to say, “John is in the hands of a just God.”

Here are some comments from a handwritten essay by William Anderson:  “Christianity is worth all or it is worth nothing.  Man is blessed in accordance with his works.  In Christianity as in education we are favored in proportion to our merits.  We cannot buy, borrow, nor steal an education; neither can we buy, borrow nor steal the blessings which our Father has promised to those who faithfully love and serve him.”

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Sunday is Father’s Day.  I am very thankful for my father, for our family and for our ancestors.  I am also thankful for the men who have influenced me in a positive way, including Paula’s father.  I hope one day I’ll be a little more worthy of them. 

Meanwhile, I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a Bible, a smile and a positive word!   RA

FATHERHOOD

The righteous man walks in his integrity;
 His children are blessed after him

                            (Proverbs 20:7).

For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory 

(1 Thessalonians 2:11, 12).

Children, do what your parents tell you.  This is only right.  “Honor your father and mother” is the first commandment that has a promise attached to it, namely, “so you will live well and have a long life.”  Fathers, don’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them.  Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master 

(Ephesians 6:1-4 MSG).

Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.

I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.

(Proverbs 4:1, 2)