Dear Prudence, your mother should know

     

     This month, graduations are happening throughout our schools and universities. 

     Girls are busy choosing just the right hairstyle to compliment their formal dress, while young are men seeking the right tuxedo to give them that grown-up, manly appearance. 

     These details are important, as graduates prepare to celebrate their successes and entrance into the adult work-a-day world. 

     

     Having left childhood behind, (that special classroom in which the adult is being developed), they are confronted with important life changes. 

     They face decisions as to which direction their life will take.  Contrary to the era when I graduated, there are many more options available today. 

     Finding a direction in life that will bring satisfaction, suiting one's personality and a worthwhile purpose for living, will require wisdom. 

     The world offers its own kind, but godly wisdom such as King Solomon asked God for as he began his reign, is the best. 

     

     In the Bible, it is celebrated as a treasure worth seeking.  

     Proverbs 3:13 says, "Blessed is the man who finds wisdom... it is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold." 

     Our youth will soon learn not to expect life to be fair, but to be a real man and a true woman in today's world, it's important to hold fast to one's ideals, even when it may cause you to be looked upon as peculiar. 

    I always like to admonish our younger folk with these words, in I Timothy 4:12-16, which exhorts, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example... in life, in love, and in faith and in purity." 

     After all, they will become our next leaders and need our encouragement as well as our prayers.  

      A news story from my hometown of Moncton, N.B. caught my attention last week.
    
     A senior high school student felt what she termed as "an unjust standard in dress code" was being imposed on her by the school administration. 

Lauren Wiggins. Image courtesy of CBC Moncton

     She stated the rule was interfering with her rights to choose what she wanted to wear. 

     

     In my opinion, many people today seem overly-concerned about maintaining their human rights. 

     Human rights are important and all groups within society need to be treated with fairness and respect. 

     But, does not the school in question have the right to decide and to enforce their own set of rules and dress code?              

     Would it not be her prerogative to choose another school if she did not wish to adhere to the rules of this one? 

     As a young person, I recall being taught to obey those in authority over me. That was just the right thing to do. I think we called it horse sense. (Don't ask me why it was called that). 

     This included government rules, road rules, school rules, and even house rules at home. The saying, "A little modesty goes a long way" might just fit this occasion." 

     The long, flowing, off-the-shoulder dress would probably be more prudent as an evening party attire. 

     Young girls need to hear these famous words: 

     "I like you just the way you are. In God's eyes you are precious and you are beautiful, not because of the skin you show, or the size on your jeans — your reflection doesn't measure your perfection. Your heart is your most beautiful part."  

     How I wish that early on in life, our youth could grasp a portion of the wisdom that we gained, having graduated from the School of Hard Knocks. 

A few nuggets of wisdom on my list would be:

1. Stand tall, behave with dignity and search for good in others. 
2. To handle yourself, use your head. To handle others, use your heart. 
3. If someone says something unkind about you, live so that no one will believe it.

     And a few wise quotes from others:

     "When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you."

— Lao Tzu 

     

     "It's better to walk alone, than with a crowd going in the wrong direction."

— Diane Grant   

     

     "I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence I can reach for. Perfection is God's business." 

— Michael J. Fox

— beulah

Seeking the smile of God's approval

     

  

     This morning as I began my day — and wishing to spend some quiet moments with Bible in hand — I was directed to the passage in Luke 18: 9-14. 

     Jesus was speaking a parable to his listeners, (a parable is a short story with hidden moral or spiritual meanings). 

     Jesus often used these in His teachings. He was describing a Pharisee and a tax collector, both who went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee had no trouble telling God how righteous he was, as he related all he did and didn't do. 

     Meanwhile, the tax collector, who was considered one of the worst sinners of his day, feeling so unworthy, lifted his prayer to God asking for mercy and forgiveness. It is obvious who went away justified. 

     Relating this parable, I think Jesus wanted us to understand that it is not what we do that makes us right with God, rather, it is God who makes us right with Him. 

     I often find it easy to compare myself with others, saying like the Pharisee, "I'm sure glad I'm not like..." I know too often, I am quick to give an opinion, perhaps showing a judgmental and know-it-all attitude without understanding the full story, I end up showing little compassion. 

     This adage supposedly dating back to the Cherokee tribe of Native Americans, says it right — "Don't judge a man until you have walked a mile in his moccasins." 

     

     Also, Nelle Harper Lee in her bestseller book, To Kill a Mockingbird, wrote, "You never really know a man until you understand things from his point of view, until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." 

     I believe our neighbourhoods would be so much better if we all chose to develop empathy towards our fellow man. 

     God's Word tells us, "Do not judge or you, too, will be judged." (Matthew 7:1) 

     God, knowing all things, is the only rightful judge and will one day do just that. 

     

     Humility is a character trait I desire to see more of in my life. "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 

     I also want to be quick to listen and slow to speak, (James 1:19), as I seek to reflect my Heavenly Father's heart of love.    

     My prayer is this. "May the smile of God's approval be upon me this day."

— beulah

Religious freedom, who will pay the price?

     

     Are the powers that be trying to legislate our religious freedom?  

     There seems to be a lot of talk lately about the freedom of religion. Anti-christian beliefs in particular. 

     

     An article written by Solomon Rayek appearing recently in our Kelowna paper, the Courier Extra, reminded us of the story of chiropractor James Lunny, an MP from Nanaimo - Alberni. Lunny felt that he had to withdraw from the Conservative caucus so he could speak freely about his beliefs without embarrassing anyone. 

     Lunny is a devout Christian who believes the theory of evolution is incorrect. 

     In Rayek's story, he goes on to say, "When did the left become so intolerant of Christians? If Lunny were a Jew or a Muslim, he would be allowed to express his beliefs without interference. Being Christian is not cool these days, but bashing Christianity is." 

     A small, local, christian-owned pizzeria in no-man's land would not cater a gay wedding. And so, it became national news. 

     The left pounded on it so much that the owners, after receiving so many death threats, closed their business. 

     Rick Green (former Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives) sees it this way: Green says, "Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone's lifestyle, you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don't have to compromise convictions to be compassionate."

     Recently, some Canadian cities are moving to scrap the practice of offering prayers before council meetings. In a unanimous ruling, members of the Supreme Court ruled the reading of a catholic prayer at council meetings in Quebec, infringes on freedom of conscience and religion. 

     I've learned that members of Kelowna city council began offering prayers before meetings at City Hall in January 1956, no member of the public ever complained. 

     One Kelowna councillor recently stated, "From my point of view, the prayer is just a sober moment of reflection. We are just calling on a higher power to give us the guidance and strength we need to make decisions that are in the best interest of our community." 

     Time will tell whether or not the 53 year tradition of saying a prayer before a Kelowna council meeting will be on its way out. 

     

     This story is told of Canada's second prime minister, Rt. Hon. Alexander MacKenzie (1822-1892). He had a habit of praying in his office, on his knees, door wide open, three times a day: in the morning, at noon and in the evening before he left for home — a prayer asking God's blessings on Canada, and for guidance in his decision-making. 

     This could very well be one of the main reasons Canada has been so blessed. 

     It would seem that the moral underpinnings that helped found and guide our nation for centuries, are gradually being eroded. When prayer is banned from the public square; when schools and courts suppress religious freedoms, there is a war going on against the christian faith. 

     With such hatred and disrespect towards God's values, we must take a bold stand for the truth. 

     Perhaps, this elderly man's prayer may voice our own sentiments:   

     "Hi Lord, it's me. We are getting older and things are getting bad here. Gas prices are too high, no jobs, and food and heating costs too high. I know some have taken You out of our schools, government and even Christmas.    

     

But Lord, I'm asking You to come back and re-bless Canada. We really need You! There are more of us who want You than those who don't! 

     Thank you Lord, I love You.




— beulah

Motherhood, not for wimps

     

     Motherhood is not for wimps!   
     How can we define motherhood?  

     Could it mean giving up the biggest piece of cake and the last popsicle, and feeling OK with that? 

     Someone has said, "The definition of motherhood is in the heart of the beholder, affecting us all in one way or another."  

     Motherhood lasts a lifetime from that first tiny cry. How special that this unique, little person came from her body, and is an extension of her very self!  

     

     Now-a-days, it seems it doesn't take much to offend people. There has been much discussion recently over the Time magazine cover story showing a beautiful, young woman nursing a toddler. 

     This led to the question whether mothers should be more discreet when nursing their baby in public. 

     Though it would definitely be taboo during my years of child-rearing, I see it as a beautiful picture representing that mother's deep love, kindness, gentleness and nurturing for that little God-given gift that He created and knit together in her womb. 

     For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful.

 — Psalm 139: 13-14 

     Motherhood is the most honourable profession a woman could have, yet the toughest job imaginable. Rev. Charles Stanley had it right when he said, "Motherhood is a great honour and privilege, yet it is also synonymous with servanthood. Every day women are called upon to selflessly meet the needs of their families. Whether they are awake at night nursing a baby, spending their time and money on less-than-grateful teenagers, or preparing meals, moms continuously put others before themselves." 

     Those of us who once nurtured our children from babies to adults, now find ourselves passing prayers and blessings on to today's mothers with their awesome responsibilities. Each generation has its own set of challenges, but many of our parenting efforts remain the same.  

     I'm awed, as I often recall — those thousands of meals that were made; how I made the kids do the dishes  — (no dishwasher in our kitchen); how we helped them to see that hard work is good; and family working together makes for an organized and peaceful home, making a home they would want to bring their friends to; teaching them to have respect for others, including elders; encouraging church attendance so that one day they would want to go all by themselves; that relationships are important; encouraging a relationship with the One who helps keep our relationships right; making time for vacations and fun; mistakes sometimes made, but forgiveness was taught.  

     

     

     I'm glad Nels, my partner, was with me in our parenting venture. Children benefit from the example of a strong, loving father, who takes his rightful place in directing and caring for his family. 

     Unfortunately, today, as in every generation, the father model is often missing. 

     Somehow, I'd like to think our Heavenly Father often fills that void.     

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle    

They say that man is mighty,

He governs land and sea, 

He wields a mighty sceptre, 

O'er lesser powers that be. 

But a mightier power and stronger, 

Man from his throned has hurled, 

For the hand that rocks the cradle, 

Is the hand that rules the world. 

— William Ross Wallace  

— beulah