Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Before and After (05/14/09)
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TITLE: Before Birth and After Death | Previous Challenge Entry
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05/19/09 -
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It’s hard to tell if I settled any conflicts upon my arrival into this world. I would like to think I had a clean slate when I was born, but I’m not sure. I think there was happiness in my family upon my initial arrival, but I know I created turmoil in my family during my youth. I would run away occasionally. Sometimes I sneaked out of the house when I wasn’t supposed to. I got lectured more than once about my behavior. Yet, I considered myself a good kid. My two older sisters were not always supportive of me. When I was old enough to remember them talking about me, all I remember hearing is, “spoiled brat.”
Despite the difference between the siblings in the family we always attended church. Church was the cornerstone of the week. No matter how hard we fought each other or what we did throughout the week we always ended up in church. It was a time when we could all get together and learn about God. My father read the Bible daily. He would say special passages from Psalms before large family meals that my cousins still remember to this day. A particular cousin asks me to recite the grace my father would say before our family gatherings at the table. I learned his message of grace by constant repetition throughout the years.
Upon graduation from high school, I remember my father and mother taking me and my sisters to Florida to visit Uncle Clyde and Aunt Fannie. Uncle Clyde was a part-owner and engineer of a gold mine in Mexico. He was surly. I came away with one thought after my family left Uncle Clyde and Aunt Fannie. “My Dad had done a good job raising me because he had managed to keep me out of jail during my adolescent years.” At the time, I had just graduated from high school.
Time kept passing and I advanced in years. Close to my grandfather’s death, I remember him saying, “Try to make the world a better place than when you came into the world.”
My children are now grown. My children, two fine young men, also had their share of tribulations throughout their youth. Like me, I suspect they will always have problems throughout their lives. Who doesn’t have their share of problems? I doubt there is any way to dodge the suffering and misery life brings except through God. But even those who have been faithful and righteous are not immune to dealing with the harsh realities of life. I don’t think I can do much of anything worthwhile except follow the will of God. However, people who dare to sacrifice everything can do wonderful things.
I recall a famous story about the saint Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa was doing a menial disgusting job helping a poor individual and a person stopped at seeing her work. He said, “I wouldn’t do what you are doing for a million dollars.”
Mother Teresa replied, “I wouldn’t stop doing what I’m doing for a million dollars.”
Millions of people idolize Mother Teresa. Yet, she devoted her whole to helping the poorest of the poor. She didn’t try to create wealth for herself – she gave the gift of love so others could learn the gift of Christ.
In the last stages of my life I try to follow God – more closely. I try to be Christ like- with more focus on Christ and less on me. I try to extend my prayer life – to more than just a few minutes in the morning.
For all the misery, conflict, and grief I’ve bestowed upon others because of my ignorance and self-serving attitude I would like to think I’ve done some good. I doubt anyone will erect a statue for me on my account for trying to be good. But one thing I don’t want to regret, is not being a servant for Christ.
After I die there will be a lot of misery, hate, and evil. But I, like you, can contribute in helping to build the church and proclaim God’s love to others. Proclaiming God’s joy to others brings great satisfaction. God’s love was here for us all before I was born and God’s love will be here for all after I leave. He invites all of us to his table as we withstand the vicissitudes of life.
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