Thank You Mr. Robinson

The worse thing that can happen to you is to go through trials and not learn from them.

Jerry Robinson

Jerry is an elder in my church. He’s older but not old and definitely not old in heart. To hear his story – his life – is encouraging and reassuring to me. I consider him to have arrived much further down the road of maturity than myself and well he should for I’m almost half his age. But it is reassuring to know that, “Though I have been young and now I am old, I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging for bread.” No matter how long it takes, Father is continually there making sure we eventually get it – even in our stubbornness. Bread represents more than just the material but is all inclusive. The point being, God takes care of us and we can trust Him. He writes the final chapter. What makes Jerry’s quote so impactful is the man. Is this not with all of us? It is our story that gives life to our words.

I appreciate the man Father has made and is making Jerry to be. It gives me hope for myself. The idea that Almighty God is continually, relentlessly making/perfecting us is incredibly reassuring. It doesn’t depend upon me. That doesn’t absolve responsibility on my part. I must let Him do it; however, resistance is futile. God knows where our goat is tied. Our trials are God's way of untying our goat and growing us up.

Paying My Vows

So I will sing praise to Your name forever,
That I may pay my vows day by day.

Psalm 61:8

David began with the end in mind – “forever” to “day by day.” It is a daily commitment. It is a daily relationship. Perhaps in writing, David started by thinking of the big picture then, as an afterthought, adjusted his thinking to the practical how to get it done. I tend to look at the big picture but get bogged down with the moment-by-moment detail. Blessed is he who can maintain sight of the goal while living well in the daily grind.

John Adams.

I grew up next door to John Adams. We called him Johnny back then. He got in trouble in freshmen history for writing his name. It so happened that when the teacher sent a piece of paper down the isle to have the students write their names he was in the same roll as Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry. He was promptly sent to the principal’s office for this out rage. The teacher was quite embarrassed to learn that his name was truly “John Adams”.

Well, that has nothing to do with the book by the same name by David McCullough but it was a great read anyway. It was an incredible read. Even knowing the outcome, I cried when Abigail passed and then cried again at John’s passing. I felt I had lost close friends having journeyed with them through their glories and their griefs. Even now, several days later, I still miss them.

His character was without reproach. He lived what he believed and fought for the same. He was optimistic about the future and President Bush has nothing in comparison to the personal attaches (unfounded as they were) that John Adams endured. He maintained his integrity through it all.

This character is the in the very genes of America. As affliction and hardship brought out the best of that generation, (and others that followed) I believe that our current hardships will result in the shedding of unwanted pounds from around our lazy, soft bellies. And we will rise out of our slumber as the occasion demands to shine bright in righteousness and truth.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Winston Churchill said, “What kind of people do they think we are? Is it possible they do not realize that we shall never cease to persevere against them until they have been taught a lesson which they and the world will never forget?”

So with that said, I want to grow up and be like John Adams.