Monday, May 17, 2010

Graduation day

Today’s Reading: Acts 14:26 NIV

26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.

Good morning!

I enjoy looking at all the graduation photos being posted online. Graduation Day is such a great way to celebrate the completion of many years of hard work. What an accomplishment! Congratulations to all who are receiving your diplomas and certificates of achievement! Well done!

There is nothing more affirming than completing a project, no matter how trivial that project may be. Just recently, I committed to cleaning out and reorganizing my bedroom closet. No one really knew about my cleaning expedition, until I heard my six year old granddaughter open the closet door and exclaim, “Wow Nanny, this is really clean!” She was playing hide-and-seek with her little brother, totally unaware that I had made a special provision just for them! One simple word of praise can go a long way for someone who has tried to make a little extra room for another.

Today, our family will celebrate the gift of life as we remember with love my father-in-law, Clayton. He has now accomplished his life’s purpose on earth and we will forever treasure him in our hearts forever. My father-in-law had a clear vision for what one day would be. Even though his eyes were growing dim with age and disease, Pop glimpsed a plan for all the generations who would follow after him. He has now graduated to life eternal in the Lord Jesus Christ. Pop was committed to the grace of God in completing his life’s call.

I believe Paul and Barnabas had to feel some sense of accomplishment, careful not to take personal credit for the many healings and conversions happening all around them. They knew that in every miracle, every newly saved soul, there is God’s gift of grace in and through Christ Jesus. Yet, it had to be humbling to know He would choose to use their imperfect hands to help spread His Word throughout the nations. Looking back at their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas had to feel affirmed while receiving Christ’s vision for what would one day be for all people, everywhere.

We celebrate all of life’s big accomplishments together, praising our Lord Jesus Christ for His gift that makes life worth living. He has made room for all who will humble their hearts, repent of their sin and daily seek His face. We can now come into the presence of the Father with joy, because of Christ’s work on the cross; you can be transformed today, right now! This is the time to invite Jesus Christ to become Lord of your life; let Him sweep out the cobwebs of sin and shame buried deep inside. Let Jesus show you what clean can really be! Jesus will change you from the inside out, helping you complete every good work, as you commit yourself daily by the grace of God. May you find yourself standing before the Lord on your eternal Graduation Day, hearing Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master’s happiness!”

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

The dance master

Today’s Reading: John 11:25-26 NIV

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Good morning!

My father-in-law received his new birth into life eternal yesterday. He passed as so many of us hope to – sleeping soundly in his bed next to his wife of sixty-five years, curled up underneath warm blankets. I couldn’t help but thank the Lord that he had not fallen down or suffered any broken any bones. It is never easy losing the people we love the most, and early this morning, I am wide awake, reliving many wonderful moments spent with Pop throughout the years.

When I was fifteen years old, I think Pop was the tallest man I knew. Standing over six feet tall, Pop towered over me. I’m not sure that Pop was wild at first about me dating his son, but when it came time to go to Jeff’s senior prom, it was Pop who volunteered to teach me how to do the two-step. I learned to waltz to Big Band music playing on their eight-track tape deck in his study. I don’t think I embarrassed Jeff too much at senior prom, since he decided to continue the dance with me all these years. Pop was a great dance instructor, indeed. The last time I danced with Pop was on the church parking lot just a few months ago. You see, a great instructor does not need music or a ball room floor to display his vocational gift. One cannot help but want to leave worship dancing and singing! It seemed so natural to do a little two step on the black top under the shadow of the Faith Church steeple.

Pop was a great lead. He gently would take my hand in his, and show me, by example, how to move gracefully across the dance floor. If you know me well, then you know my middle name is not Grace, and I struggle with gliding; I’m actually much more adept at tripping and falling. Through the years, it was Pop who was there to pick me up whenever I fell down. His willingness to listen and encourage me, especially through some really tough times, is a gift I will treasure forever. He may have been my father-in-law by marriage, but I am proud to have called him Daddy.

Pop’s life example and servant leadership mirrored the example of our Heavenly Father. I’m pretty sure he took his life’s lead from Him. A good provider, a stern but loving disciplinarian, Pop possessed a kind and humble heart. When Pop chose love, he chose it for a life time. He made life’s dance look easy, and we all know it is not. The last few years of Pop’s life were a struggle. He recovered from some very serious bone breaks that may have kept many in the confines of a wheel chair or walker. Pop never gave up; determined to dance again, he partied with reckless abandon at his granddaughter Katie’s wedding. He had worked hard that fall in physical therapy just so that he could dance the night away with his daughters and granddaughters that night. I have several photographs of Pop in my scrapbook, doing the monster mash with his daughter Linda and granddaughter Courtney. I laugh out loud every time I look at these wonderful pictures, honoring the memory of the dance master.

I would have to say that my most cherished recollection with Pop was a moment of faith sharing, as we sat together in the church fellowship hall, listening to a group discussion of Mel Gibson’s “Passion of the Christ.” Pop raised his voice to speak while tears streamed down his cheeks. This was remarkable because Pop did not cry in public. He said, “I felt compelled to see this film because I knew if Jesus could suffer that way and die for me, the least I could do is to see it for myself.” I know it is his sure faith in Jesus Christ that helped him finish life’s dance, and begin the new song that will last for all eternity. He is doing the two-step with His Savior, and this morning, I can hear their heels clicking together as they laugh out loud in unending joy, gliding along the streets of gold.

Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” We can all take a dance lesson today from Pop. Let the Lord take the lead; for He will guide you every step of the way, if you will choose to believe.

Thank you Pop, for teaching me how to dance.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.