October 5, 2010

Number 40

VIEWPOINT

I never eat a sweet potato without thinking about him.  J. W. Raines loved everything in the garden, and he was a champion tomato grower.  But his favorite crop was sweet potatoes.

There are a variety of words we could use to describe J. W.  Some that come to mind immediately are hard working, thrifty, generous, diligent, honest, faithful, dependable, and devoted.

Work was a way of life for  J. W. and Vivian.  They were just a step short of the pioneer days, always close to being self sufficient on their own place.  When J. W. moved into assisted living, he left plenty of firewood for many years already cut and stacked. 

J. W. was a person of integrity and character.  Every-one in the neighborhood knew him and everyone had a positive word.  No one ever accused him of anything negative in the least.  A multitude of families related his help on projects and jobs of all kinds. 

His dedication to Vivian in the long days of her illness became legendary.  That’s one reason many at Cedar Grove looked up to J. W. as a “hero.”  As the “backbone” of his family, J. W. created a lasting heritage.  His consistent example instilled the faith and spiritual values that are carried on in succeeding generations. 

J. W. also loved the Cedar Grove family.  He was especially fond of our youngsters and he was delighted every time a new baby arrived.

Joyce put it this way:  “It’s much easier to become a father than to be one.  My father WAS one.  We’re going to miss him terribly, but are so grateful he struggles no more.”

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TAKE TWO:  After our emphasis on Sunday that discipleship is an “acquired taste,” Randi Kelly reminded me of the first part of the Sara Lee jingle:  “Everybody doesn’t like something, but nobody doesn’t like Sara Lee!”

TAKE THREE:  Following our discussion of Naaman the leper asking the king of Israel how to be healed, Cheryl Putman commented, “Instead of ‘looking for love in all the wrong places, he was looking for God’s grace in all the wrong places.’”

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

IF MY DAYS WERE UNTROUBLED

If my days were untroubled, and my heart always light,
Would I seek that fair land, where there is no night?

If I never grew weary with the weight of my load,
Would I search for God's peace, at the end of the road?

 If I never knew sickness, and never felt pain,
Would I search for a hand, to help and sustain?

 If I walked without sorrow, and lived without loss,
Would my soul still seek solace at the foot of the cross?

If all I desired was mine day by day,
Would I kneel before God, and earnestly pray?

 If God sent no winter, to freeze me with fear,
Would I yearn for the warmth of spring every year?

 I ask all these questions, and the answer is plain,
If my life were all pleasures, and I never knew pain

 I would seek God less often, and need Him much less,
For we seek God more often, in times of distress.

 And no one knows God, or sees Him so plain,
As those who have met Him on the pathway of pain.