Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

 

This walk down memory lane is one of my stupidest childhood escapades. During third-grade recess in 1967, my best friend, Jonita, was standing at the top of the slide while I was standing at the landing of the slide. I don’t know why, but I tossed a small rock up the slide and accidentally hit her in the forehead. I wasn’t aiming at her head (if I had I would have missed.) I’m not left-handed but I’ve always thrown a ball with my left hand which probably explains why I can’t hit the side of a barn. But on that day, my random aim was right on target for pain. Thankfully, Jonita wasn’t seriously hurt, but there was blood and a flabbergasted look on both of us. Before writing this column, I asked her if she remembered our recess fiasco and she said that she didn’t. Since I was the stone thrower, I remember the incident well because I felt so awful.

 

In Jesus’ day, the religious scholars and Pharisees seemed to be ready, willing, and able to stone anyone they deemed needed to die. These religious leaders erred on the side of criticism and condemnation. Dottie Rambo wrote a song in 1978 entitled, “He was the Talk of the Town“ with the lyrics referencing John 8:1-11. “The scribes and the Pharisees, brought a woman to be stoned. ‘Now Moses’ Law says you must die for the sin that you have done!’ The Master didn’t speak a word, He just wrote upon the ground. When they read the news there was none to accuse; He was the talk of the town.” Jesus didn’t deny the provision of the Law, but He challenged any sinless religious leader to cast the first stone. Fortunately, they all walked away with nothing to say or throw.

 

As modern-day believers, are we more ready to stone people or are we more apt to love people? Just imagine carrying a heavy backpack full of stones everywhere we go. It would be much better if we didn’t carry the weight of that unnecessary burden. It’s not our job to condemn anyone. Even Jesus didn’t condemn. He told the woman caught in the act of adultery, “I certainly don’t condemn you either. Go, and from now on, be free from a life of sin” (John 8:11 TPT.)

 

In the same chapter, we find the Pharisees extremely offended and angry with Jesus. “At that point they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple” (John 8:59 NLT). Historical records substantiate that there were workmen repairing or building additions to the temple at this particular time. So the stones the Pharisees threw toward Jesus were pieces of stone which had been hewed off by the construction crew.

 

It would be better to carry around some extra cash to give away when a good opportunity arises than to carry a gunnysack full of rocks. Let’s look for someone to help rather than condemn. Christ followers are to live and practice the truth of the Gospel. There are  ample opportunities to open our heart and hand toward the misfortunate, lost, and hurting. We can choose to fill our days showing love, mercy, and loving-kindness like Jesus did.

 

“Dear friends, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born again because of what God has done. That person knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8 NIRV.) Our beliefs, words, and actions must square up with the teachings of Jesus.

 

The Key: If you love others, you won’t throw rocks at ‘em — unless it’s an accident.

This wasn’t like Dave.  History had proven that.  My husband was more like a weed-eater or vacuum kind of guy.  Not a jewelry gifter.  But clearly, the evidence was proving otherwise.

The notice came in my Email that Dave had made a purchase at FDJ Claddagh Jewelry C. Jewelry for $134.98 and charged it on our credit card.  May I repeat…Soooo not like him, not to mention, if he purchased some gems, he would go to Bartelsmeyer’s in Fort Scott.  Still, I, unlike almost all of my friends, am not a jewelry kind of person. Dave knows that.

There was, however, a possibility that FDJ Claddagh Jewelry C. Jewelry was going out of business and everything was 99% off which certainly would peak my husband’s attention and probably persuade him to surprise me with some earrings or a bracelet or a jewel-laced bobby pin.  Yes, a possibility. But why would Dave put this charge on our shared credit card, the one that alerted me of every purchase?  He would ruin the surprise. A “senior moment,” perhaps?

All day long, I was confounded. What if this, instead of being a very generous, upcoming anniversary gift from my husband, was credit card fraud?  If I asked Dave, insinuating that it was, I would be admitting that I didn’t expect him to purchase a piece of jewelry. What a way to destroy his attempt to do something special! How could I be so heartless?  (Had jewelry stores sold battery chargers or leaf blowers, I wouldn’t have given it another thought.)

But what if Dave hadn’t made this purchase?  What if I let this go and the criminal who abused our card did it again and that person didn’t pay attention to the credit card alert and ended up going bankrupt and had to live under a bridge for the rest of his/her life?

I spoke to my girlfriend about it.  She said I definitely could NOT ask Dave.  Period.

I listened intently to all of her reasons and then…

I asked him.

He had made no such purchase.  Immediately, he called our credit card company to report the fraud.  His card was deactivated and a new card will be sent.

What I don’t understand is this:  how are people able to get away with this?  On the back of our cards, Dave and I have written “See ID.”  Why don’t the register attendants look at the signature?  Why are they so trusting?

I am grateful for the alert my credit card sent me. My girlfriend’s 83-year-old mother gave away most of her life savings (over $100,000) in increments of $10,000 when she was threatened by someone impersonating the I.R.S.  She will never get that money back.  She had no credit card company to alert her to the fraud.

God has used this situation to get my attention. It’s easy for me to fault a sales clerk for not being alert, but am I not equally as guilty, and with a much more serious issue at stake? 1 Peter 5:8: Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. When we are not on our toes, when we stop looking to God’s Word for advice, we will find ourselves in danger much more deadly than a fraudulent jewelry charge.  Colossians 4:2 reminds us where we need to stay alert: Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.

My friends and I were talking about how we need to improve our prayer life.  Many times, our praise, requests and thanks are lacking in a heart-knowledge of the recipient of our words.  One friend shared that at a dinner party, a guest asked if he could say grace.  The hostess was thrilled he had volunteered.  With heads bowed, he said this: “Grace.”  And then he laughed.  I wonder if God did.

 

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

 

 

Today’s society likes to give ratings and many businesses encourage consumers to rate their experience concerning services or products. With the five choices of (1) very poor, (2)  poor, (3) average, (4) good, (5) excellent, receiving a five-star rating is as good as it gets. After a recent church service, I told my Pastor that he delivered a six-star message (I thought it was “over the top.”) In my mind, that was the same as giving him an A+!  I sure hope he didn’t think I was giving him a 6 out of 10. Maybe that’s why he gave me that funny look.

 

When God created the heavens and the earth, “God saw that it was good” was recorded five times in the Book of Genesis as a summary statement. But on the sixth day, when He created man (humankind) in His own image, He upped His own rating from good to very good: “Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good” (Genesis 1:31 NKJV). Since Yahweh is a five-star God, I prefer to believe that “very good” is the same as “excellent” and that’s as good as it gets.

 

Before he became king, David penned the following psalm: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8 NKJV). David could say that the Lord was good by his personal experience. He placed his faith in a never-failing God. David experienced many turbulent circumstances but they never shook him loose from God’s promises to protect and deliver him. “You have done many good things for me, Lord, just as You promised (Psalm 119:65 NLT). If believers will only taste (give God a chance), we’ll see (experience) His goodness in our lives.  

 

Because we have an excellent 5-star God, we should desire to step up to the plate and serve Him with excellence. As His ambassadors, we represent Christ  in everything we do and say. The rubber meets the road outside the walls of the church building. When the pressure is on, the following thoughts may cross your mind: “This is good enough.” “I don’t have time to do it right.” “I’ll do better next time.” “Nobody cares, so why should I?” “I’m just guessing; I hope I spelled his name correctly.” I’m sure grateful that God never has a lazy or lousy mindset about His responsibilities.

 

Peter boldly reminds believers that we have an important job to do. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV). Just like a mannequin in the store window, we’re to display the excellent virtues of Jesus. I’ll be the first to admit, there are times when I feel like a dummy because I thoughtlessly said or did something unkind. Regretfully, I didn’t represent Jesus well in that moment. But, thankfully, there’s mercy and forgiveness for a dummy’s repentant heart. “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 107:1 NKJV). “For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation” (Psalm 100:5 NLT).  

 

The Key: God is good. God is very good. God is excellent.

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you taller, nicer, richer, more popular, more creative, less wrinkly.”  If you know scripture, you know that’s not how Matthew 4:16-17 reads.  Jesus is choosing his disciples, and when he sees Simon and his brother Andrew fishing, he tells them to follow him and ends with “and I will make you fishers of men.” And here’s the cool part.  Immediately, they put down their nets and followed Jesus.

Just down the shore there was a boat. In it was a man, Zebedee, with his two sons, James and John. They had finished fishing and were mending their nets. Jesus called out to James and John, and they too, stopped what they were doing and followed Jesus.

Immediately.  Not after they ran home to explain to their wives that fishing would no longer be their #1 profession and they had no idea how they would support their family.  Not after they asked their friends’ advice on the prospects of following a complete stranger.  Not after they skinned and fileted the fish they already had caught.  Not after Jesus explained to them how this “fishers of men” profession would play out.  Nope.  None of that.                                         Immediately.

Yesterday, here at the lake, I watched from my deck as two fishermen patiently trolled in their boat near our dock.  I could hear them discussing the fish they hopefully would catch as well as the bait needed to be successful.  They were in no hurry.  If it took all day, so be it, and if today wasn’t the jackpot, there was always tomorrow.  It’s no wonder Jesus chose fishermen to be in his inner circle.  They inherently had characteristics necessary to share his way with others: patience, dedication, determination, focus and willingness to learn.

Jesus saw these men not as they were (dirty, smelly, uneducated) but as what he could turn them into (disciples who would give up everything to follow the Messiah).  Jesus wants to do the same for us.  But first, we have to choose to follow, to sacrifice what we consider important, to change our goals, before he can make us fishers of men.

Those future disciples had no idea how much their decision to follow Jesus would change the world.  The Bible is filled with how their imperfections, fears and inabilities were made perfect, fearless and capable, following Jesus’ resurrection.  Until then, they just followed…and sometimes, not well.  They listened as Jesus preached yet failed him when he needed them most at his crucifixion. They questioned what honors they would get in Heaven and panicked when Jesus asked them to use their faith to feed the crowds.  Still, except for the betrayer Judas, they all followed, and because of that, the Church was born.

Somehow the Church has done a great job of making Jesus-believers, but a horrible job of making Jesus-followers, people who sacrifice much (all!) to demonstrate their love for him.  In Jesus’ day, crowds too “followed” him, some to be healed, some out of curiosity, some because they hated him, and some because they believed in the faith about which he spoke.  There comes a time in all of our lives when we have to make a very personal decision to follow Christ, even though in this world of “every man for him/herself,” to follow Jesus, to be conformed to his image by growing in holiness, can be a lonely place.

Jesus has extended the invitation.  How shall we respond?

Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

 

 

After finishing my shower, I grabbed the handle to one of the sliding double doors but it wouldn’t open. I tried the other door and it wouldn’t budge either. Both doors were off the track. So I was home alone and stuck in the shower. It was weird that I couldn’t even call anyone although I had no idea who I would call anyway, considering the circumstances. I thought about crawling out over the top but, at my age, that wasn’t a smart idea. There was a slight temptation to panic, but I knew in my heart that my life simply was not going to end like this. I know of a virtuoso pianist who had a heart attack while playing, fell off the bench and died. That would be a more-honorable way to go than naked and shriveled in a shower stall. So I kept fiddling with the doors, prayed for “know how,” and managed to get both off-track doors back on track.

 

I don’t think anyone will argue that life occasionally tries to dump panic, worry, anxiety, and fear on us. Jesus was well acquainted with life down here and that’s why He did His best to teach us how to handle it. My brother, who passed away in 2022, has the following motto engraved on his headstone: “This too shall pass.” It’s encouraging to know that negative circumstances will not, and cannot, last forever.

 

Since the latter part of 2014, the scriptures regarding worry have been extremely vital to me. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT). Satan is always tempting believers to panic and worry about big things and little things. It makes no difference to him, just so we’re miserable and fresh out of peace. Paul wrote to the believers in Philippi admonishing them not to worry about anything. We’re supposed to pray and tell God all about it, then  thank Him for working things out, and move forward in peace. Before we RIP, believers are supposed to live in peace. Ain’t nobody got time to live in routine anxiety and panic.

 

God is patiently waiting for us to invite Him into our difficult circumstances so He can roll up His sleeves and resolve it. Just think how you would feel if your best friend had a need but didn’t ask for your help. For example, my dear friend asked if she could borrow a largish amount of flatware and dinnerware for her son’s graduation dinner party. I was very happy to lend these items to her because I love her. God is the same way — He loves us and wants to help us when we struggle with cares. God’s unfailing love expels the darkness of worry and panic like a thousand torches.

 

I find comfort, peace, and hope in this scripture: “I cast the whole of my care [all my anxieties, all my worries, all my concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for me affectionately and cares about me watchfully” (1 Peter 5:7 AMP). Don’t let worry take a front-row seat in your mind — just shove it out the door and give it a swift kick. No matter what you may be going through today, there is power and grace from the heavenly Father to make you into a peaceful overcomer. Just ask Him to help you and then act like His Word is true. I double-dog dare you to throw away your Worrywart button.

 

The Key: Let’s adopt the motto, “No Worries” and act like God is not a liar.

Several years ago, my stepdaughter Nikki and her husband, Dave, redid their backyard.  They added a pool, an outdoor kitchen, a sit-down counter for eight, an outdoor television, and an area for cornhole and games.  It became the hangout for their friends and the friends of their three, teenage children.

From that point on, rarely were they invited to someone else’s house.  They were expected to host every get-together.  People couldn’t wait for the next event.  Oh, the guests might bring an appetizer or drink, but most of that costly responsibility, prep, and cleanup, fell on Dave’s and Nikki’s shoulders.

My husband, Dave, and I had a similar experience in Mexico where we owned a bottom-floor condominium for 15 years.  Ours became the gathering spot, and several times, we were asked, “We had so much fun the other night. When are you having another get-together?”  A few reciprocated, but some never did.  After years of this, I began mortifying Dave by responding, “Or maybe we could come to your place sometime.” If I didn’t hear “Yea, maybe,” I heard, “My wife doesn’t like to have people over.  But we sure enjoy coming to your place.”

Recently, Dave and I were at Nikki’s, and she and I began discussing how some people use all kinds of excuses not to open their homes to guests.  Typically, it’s because their house isn’t as nice or as big and doesn’t have all the conveniences, but that’s not the point.  When Dave played baseball and we lived in a small apartment, we hosted almost every team event.  Players owned large, beautiful homes, but they never shared their houses for get-togethers.  They just asked when we were having another party.

On Sunday, we went to my grandson-in-law’s church and heard a sermon on hospitality, on how important it is to invite people over instead of shutting them out. The pastor used the example of Zaccheus, the tax collector who climbed a tree in order to get a look at Jesus as he passed by.  Jesus called him by name and said that he wanted to go to Zaccheus’s house, a request that was met with a quick “yes.” How many of us would be panicked instead of welcoming an unexpected guest?

Let’s face it.  We now live in a world that is cold and impersonal, yet Romans 12:13 instructs us to “Practice hospitality” which has nothing to do with impressing others with our fine linens, fresh flowers, spotless home and perfect children.  Some of us need to stop with the lies that tell us we have to be perfect, that our homes belong to us, not God, and that our possessiveness about our personal time many times isn’t linked to laziness or selfishness.

Jesus seemed to know that true fellowship, true intimacy, happens around a dinner table. Why else would he choose his final evening on earth to be centered around a table with his disciples? A table owned not by a friend but by a nameless person whose servant, according to Mark 14:12-17, led two disciples to an upstairs room prepared for a dinner for 12.

When Dave and I first attended a church near our home in Tomball, Texas, Mollie and Cal introduced themselves and invited us to their house after the service.  I explained that we had three children, but Mollie answered, “Perfect. So do we!”  That friendship (as well as other couples we met through them) has lasted for the past 30 years.

Billie Graham said it best.  “The happiest Christian homes I know are those given to hospitality, where neighbors feel at home, where young people are welcome, where the elderly are respected, where children are loved.”  Maybe that’s what this cold, impersonal world is missing.

 

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

 

 

After graduating from business college, I began working as a secretarial receptionist. I typed a lot of specs and documents, so it was annoying when I made a mistake and had to brush on the white correction fluid and wait for it to dry. In 1980, I moved to Kansas and was employed at The Western where I used an IBM Selectric II correcting typewriter. I was so happy that someone brilliant had finally designed a built-in correction feature. I thought it was the best invention since high heels! Whenever I misspelled a word, all I had to do was hit the backup key, retype the wrong letter, then type the right letter and all was made right. It was just as if I’d never messed up. Even though I aimed for perfection, it was impossible to perfectly type every single document in a workday.

 

The heartbeat of God is to free us from our sins and baggage so that’s why He sent Jesus to clean, correct, and restore our flawed lives. He welcomes the bruised and crushed of humanity to come to Him for restoration. “…Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18 NKJV). The Samaritan woman at the well, who’d been married five times, didn‘t cause Jesus to bat an eye or raise an eyebrow. When she believed and placed her faith in the Messiah, she immediately became the first female evangelist in her village. Many broken people came to believe in Christ because of her life-changing testimony. Jesus used, and still uses, some of the most-controversial individuals for His work and purposes.

 

Apostle Peter lied and denied, then quickly repented and was forgiven and restored. Saul/Paul persecuted, imprisoned, and approved of stoning Christians. But he stopped doing that when the light of Jesus landed him flat on the Damascus road. Jesus takes the most unlikely and makes them likely. In season 1, episode 7 of The Chosen, Jesus turns to Peter and says, “Get used to different.” Jesus didn’t come to admire the outward pretenses of a person, He came to clean the dirty insides of a person. Jesus came to love, forgive,  and restore sinful and defective people and put them to work in the Kingdom of God.

 

Jesus specializes in picking up people and turning them around. He cast seven demons out of Mary Magdalene and she was miraculously freed from bondage and restored to her right mind. She became one of the faithful women who traveled and supported Jesus’ ministry and she’s mentioned in all four of the gospels. Her previous life may have been the worst, but Jesus made sure that Mary Magdalene was the first to see Him on resurrection morning. She is a beautiful example of a godly woman whose life was poured out in gratitude for God’s extravagant love, mercy, and grace. From the worst to the first — that’s how the Master of the Universe works. Jesus entrusted Mary of Magdala  with the awesome assignment of telling the grieving disciples, “He’s alive!”

 

Jesus is the only true correction tape for the world. A simple definition of “justification” is “just as if I’d never sinned.” When we believe in Jesus as Savior, God pardons, cleanses, and acquits us from condemnation. Justification is a gift of grace; not a result of human effort. Jesus died and rose again; He paid it all so we can be clean and free. “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin” (Romans 4:7,8 NLT.)

 

The Key: Our faith in Jesus’ sacrifice makes us right in God’s sight (ref Romans 5:1.)

I’m not sure how I came up with this idea, but I think that my life would be less stressful if I didn’t get frazzled about anything that couldn’t have frazzled me 30 years ago.  Take gadgets, for example, and their ability to frustrate:

Delayed Amazon deliveries

A slow internet                                                                                                                    Passwords                                                                                                                           Fast-food restaurants that use kiosks                                                             Pinterest ideas that never turn out like the pictures

Yellow, blinking lights that fail to blink

In the list above, all of these modern inventions are intended to make our lives easier, yet when they fail to do so, I become frustrated instead of being thankful for the times they do work. Why is that?  In Luke 17:11-17, we read of 10 outcast lepers who were healed by Jesus. Lepers were no small deal.  They were considered permanently unclean, so they could not worship in the temple. They could not hang with their families and were cut off from society. Jesus curing them was no minor miracle.

Still, only one thanked him, and in no insignificant way.  That leper fell at Jesus’ feet and loudly praised him for this miracle.  Jesus questioned why the other nine just went on their merry way while only one stayed behind to show gratitude.  Being thankful was important to Jesus.

Typically, I love thanking people and look for ways to do so.  Still, I need to do a better job of thanking God. Take this morning, for example. I had countless reasons for which to be grateful: life itself; opportunities to pray; a phone call from one of our children; a car that started; great friends; inspirational, Christian Instagram posts; Kleenex (allergies); and short lines at the post office. The list was endless, but only now, while writing this, am I thanking God.

In the Bible, the word “thanks” or “Thanksgiving” appears over 100 times, and no season reminds me of the need to show gratitude more than Easter.  Without the Resurrection, we would be hopeless. The Bible would be just another history book, and Christianity would be pointless. None of us would have a chance to spend eternity with Jesus.

The next time I’m frustrated because my internet is weak or my Pinterest macaroons look more like a blackened pizza crust, or I’m spending 15 minutes pushing the wrong buttons, trying to order an Egg McMuffin, I need to remember what’s truly important.  Actually, I need to remember Who is the most important…and maybe fall at His feet when I do

That’s what Easter is all about.

 

Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

Be Winsome and Win Some

 

Winsome is not an adjective we often use in our speech, but we should try to incorporate it into our daily conduct. The definition of winsome is being attractive or appealing in character. It’s a quality that makes someone want to be around us and enjoys our company. No one minds being around a person that’s engaging, sweet, endearing, charming, delightful, or winning.

 

As believers, we must be winsome if we intend to win some to Christ. It’s been said that you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Showing love and mercy to others is the honey we need in order to be attractive. “If any of them [nonbelievers] do not believe God’s word, your conduct will win them over to believe. It will not be necessary for you to say a word, because they will see how pure and reverent your conduct is” (1 Peter 3:1,2 TEV). I like to talk, but sometimes it’s a good idea to save my breath and simply show love and mercy instead. (Then I don’t have to take my foot out of my mouth.)

 

It would be a good idea to make a mental checklist to ensure we love when others hate, and forgive when others hold grudges. When we build a bridge to someone, we’re  actually building a relationship with that individual. Becoming a winsome friend to the “down and out” can result in winning him/her to Christ. Friendly and caring conduct can actually win someone without sharing a truckload of Bible verses. We need to put our money where our mouth is in order to prove we walk the walk.

 

Jesus quoted this verse from the Old Testament: “I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices” (Hosea 6:6a NLT). God desires His children to have flexible hearts of compassion. Apostle Paul wrote to the Church of Philippi and instructed them to fasten their thoughts continually on what is truly important. “Whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]” (Philippians 4:8 AMP). This translation uses the word “winsome,” and I like that. We need to think about how we can be winsome so we can win some to Christ.

 

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay” (1 Peter 4:8,9 NLT).  I believe Peter and his wife were hospitable, and a great tool to win some to Jesus is to feed some. My relative, Joanne Montgomery Jones, authored a book entitled, A Time to Laugh…A Time to Cry, and here is my favorite quote: “Today, hospitality has become so ’dutiful.’ Menus are carefully planned, shopping must be done, and tables must be set immaculately. Have we, somewhere along the way, lost the pure joy of sharing our food, our love, and our time with our friends? Chipped plates, glasses that once contained jelly or peanut butter, and worn mismatched silverware graced our table, but the love and laughter that abounded there far surpassed anything that might be achieved by today’s hostess following the rules of Emily Post.”

 

The Key: Let’s be winsome and win some for the Kingdom of Heaven.

Friends cautioned me that “times are different.”  They were right.  In my first week of substitute teaching, an administrator was called to remove a student from the classroom. In the twenty years I had taught, I made such a call only one time.  And here I was, in my third day of subbing, and I could not control a student who chose to act up, non-stop.

I tried all the teacher tricks, silently questioning how the actual, full-time teacher handled this child, but when I finally had him stand outside the classroom door and he began licking the door’s window, I knew that, yes, times are very different.

Two periods later, I had him again, and he was great.  Perhaps he had a twin with the same name?  I could not believe the difference.  I praised him for being so well-behaved and told him how much I appreciated him acting so well.  When he showed up for a third class, I expected the same.  It did not happen.  He was wired.  Disruptive.  Rude.  Loud.  Very, very loud.  What had happened to the quiet, attentive boy from the previous class?

Once again, I asked him to leave the classroom and sit by the door.  He chose to walk down the hall… and told me there was nothing I could do about it.  Sadly, he was right.  Gone were the days when a teacher could grab a child’s arm, when students respected (perhaps feared?) authority, when a call home meant double-trouble for the child instead of a complaint to the principal about the teacher.

Today’s educators are saints.

I always knew that subbing was a challenge (which is why I told my students that if they misbehaved for a sub, I would double their detention.)  Rarely, if ever, did I have a problem.  Clearly, the times…they are a changin’. Who/what’s to blame?  Is it social media?  Parents who refuse to hear the teacher’s side?  Who want to be their child’s friend?

Don’t get me wrong.  Many students were on task and well-behaved.  Two said “thank you” when I handed out an assignment. One even tried to quiet my disruptive student by saying, “Stop it.  She’s a good sub.”  (I wanted to hug him.)

Most teachers work hard to help raise up our children, to challenge and encourage them to learn.  And while the rest of us have an end to our work day, teachers don’t have that luxury.  Papers need to be graded and the next day needs to be organized.  As for administrators, they have their hands full, dealing with unruly students and their parents, encouraging teachers and keeping up with government standards for school management.

When I reflected on my sub experience, I had to wonder how God does it.  God, who deals with nothing but unruly children, who has no “one size fits all” form of discipline. God, who knows His children and what moves them to behave.  Do they need a friend to come alongside and challenge them?  He sends that person.  (Think of the servants who told Naaman, the leper, to get rid of his pride and wash in dirty water as Elisha instructed him.)

Do they need a kick in the kazoo?  (Think of Paul who, on his way to persecute Christians, was blinded.)  Do they need a gentle touch?  (Think of the disciples who were calmly admonished when they could not stay awake and support Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.)  Do they need encouragement?  (Think of those same men being told not to fear persecution and death.)  Do they just need a “Hang in there, Child” message? (Think of you and me, waiting on unanswered prayer.)

God amazes me.  Still, I have to wonder if He ever had to deal with someone who licked the window.  I’m thinking he might have laughed.

Maybe I should have tried that.

My friend Vivian and I were visiting recently about the topic of aging. Some women  look 15 years older than they are, but some look 15 years younger than their age. Vivian and I shared our thoughts about what we will look like in heaven. We both agreed that we’ll look about 30, which is the prime of life. When I was 30, I felt like I had a tiger by the tail. I could efficiently multi-task, do things quickly, walk and chew gum, and rarely felt dumb. I had lots of energy and laughed a lot. Now that I’m older, some physical things have changed but I’m thankful I can still laugh easily.

 

When believers are in the last third of our lives, we can still continue to be living testimonies to the faithfulness of God. There are two New Testament Christians that are marvelous examples of how to age fruitfully. The stellar lives of Simeon and Anna inspire me to keep serving God and loving people as long as I have breath.

 

Mary and Joseph took baby Jesus to Jerusalem to dedicate him to the Lord. As they walked into the temple, Simeon (an elderly man) was there waiting. He loved God, was righteous and devout, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. The Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before he saw the Messiah with his own eyes. For this very reason the Holy Spirit had impressed upon Simeon to go to the temple on this precise day and hour when Jesus’ parents brought Him to the temple.

 

Simeon nestled the Babe in his arms and praised God saying, “Lord and Master, I am Your loving servant, and now I can die content for Your promise to me has been fulfilled. With my own eyes I have seen Your Word, the Savior You sent into the world. He will be glory for Your people Israel, and the Revelation Light for all people everywhere“ (Luke 2:29-31 TPT.) Simeon was at the right place at the right time because He listened to God.

 

Anna was an 84-year-old prophetess from the Tribe of Asher. She’d been married only seven years when her husband died. After that, she worshipped God in the temple continually, serving Him with night-and-day prayer and fasting. “She [Anna] came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38 NLT.) When Anna laid her eyes on Jesus, she experienced the very presence of God. Although she had known sorrow, she was full of joy. Although she was no longer in the prime of her life, she had maintained contentment and hope.  Although she had some limitations, she never stopped worshipping God and using her prophetic gift. Although she had experienced disappointments, she never stopped believing and praying. Although she was no longer youthful, she remained useful.

 

When I’m around an older woman with a laughing smile and twinkling eyes, that’s all I see. I’m truly blind to any of her aging facial features. Her beautiful smile is a better cover-up than anti-wrinkle cream. Several years ago, my cousin Vicky and I were talking about getting older. She said that she planned to simply grow old gracefully. I loved her plan and I embraced her sensible philosophy as my own. I want to grow old lovingly. I want to be sweet and not cynical. I want to enjoy life, laugh at myself, and remain useful for God.

 

The Key:  Let’s be content to have a loving heart and use “Big Grin Beauty Cream.”