GRASPING FOR THE WIND ~ ECCLESIASTES, CHAPTER 1

As we wait for our future to play out, many are holding their breath while waiting. Questions swirl around and around in our minds because of current economy issues. Fear abounds. Some are floundering or sinking. Many are homeless. Holding your breath won’t help…it will only make you feel faint. And this is no time for the faint-hearted. JUST BREATHE…You won’t make it through this hard time if you don’t JUST BREATHE.

I think often about a question that was popular with the flower children of the ‘60’s. The question was phrased differently by some, but basically it was this: “What is the purpose of life?” Unfortunately, the flower children of the ‘60’s thought the answer could be found in some drug induced stupor… Shame on them…. No… no one has, nor ever will be able to answer that question in the natural, but the person who came the closest was King Solomon.

King Solomon was renowned for his wisdom. He pondered the question of our existence and we can read his very thoughts on the subject today in the Book of Ecclesiastes. This particular book of the Bible is short, but powerful. The book flows and the thought pattern is fairly easy to follow. So, I have it in my heart to share Ecclesiastes with whoever is willing to study along with me.

My love for the Book of Ecclesiastes began in January 2004. My Father had congestive heart failure for many years. He entered the hospital in January for valve replacement. The day that my Dad entered the hospital, the Lord placed a burning need in my heart to study – REALLY STUDY – the Book of Ecclesiastes. I began the study the same day and I finished the study the morning that the Lord took my Dad home.

Just a little bit of information is necessary here….I was a Daddy’s girl… Oh yeah…big time! My Mom said that the attachment was strong from infancy. To this day, I am certain that the Lord was preparing me for the death of my Dad. The Lord knows my heart better than I do. He knew that certain questions needed to be answered before I faced what I was to face. He knew that without the prior study of Ecclesiastes, that my faith might not survive the death of my Father. God knew that. I didn’t until my faith was shaken to the very roots. It was because of my in depth study of Ecclesiastes that I was able to cling to my faith through the storm. And God showed me through circumstances that it was positively Daddy’s time to go home. (I am saving the details for a later blog.) My loss was great, but the Lord comforted me through His leading for this study at that critical time in my life. God is merciful… JUST LIKE THAT!

Maybe it is due to my upbringing, or maybe it is something that God put deep in my spirit, I can’t tell you which, but I have always been an optimist. I think there are a lot of optimists… More than the pessimists…I think. I think it is human nature to be more optimistic than pessimistic. We take our optimism and add expectation – mix it up and we have a blended mixture of what we think our life SHOULD be. Well, Solomon said it best:

“Vanity of vanities”, says the Preacher;
“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity”.
Ecclesiastes 1:2

The Preacher (Solomon) then lists the “vanities”, expounds upon each and concludes with TRUTH.

The Vanity of Human Accomplishments: First, Solomon questions what profit has a man from his labor “under the sun” (in the physical life). Then, we are reminded that generation follows generation – the same as the earth continues to cycle…sunrises, then sunsets, the wind whirls around continually, all rivers run into the sea, says Solomon, to the place from which rivers come, there to return again.

All things are full of labor;
Man cannot express it.
The eye is not satisfied with seeing,
Nor the ear filled with hearing.
Ecclesiastes 1:8

We work to achieve those things we wish to achieve, but we can never circumvent the cycle of life. We all will die…eventually. Solomon concludes this portion by reminding the reader that there really isn’t anything “new”…it is as it always has been and always will be.

Does anyone know their great great grandfather? Do you even know his name? What was his occupation? What did he accomplish in his life? Do you really know what he was like? You are from his blood line, yet you know little to nothing about him. Most of us don’t even have a picture of him for reference. Even if we do have a lot of old pictures, we don’t know our great great grandfather from Adam. Case in point… We will be forgotten after a while… A couple of generations later and you are only a name in a lineage without any memory of you.

We are born, we live and then we die; our remains returned to the earth, as the earth continues to cycle through time. The memory of us lingering briefly, then to fade into forgetfulness. And yet, knowing this, man strives to achieve because he is never satisfied in life. I think it is better to love. Love is remembered longer than the material thing.

The Vanity of Wisdom: Here we see Solomon use past tense when telling that he was king over Israel. This tells us that Solomon wrote this book when he was old. He had already lived most of his life. Right about now, the flower children of the ‘60’s should be coming to understanding “why we are here”… without the drugs!

Remembrance, ponderings and reasoning seem to come more frequently as we age. And, for the most part, that can be a good thing because, in my experience, time and distance has added perspective. I just have to be careful that I stay away from the would’ve, could’ve, should’ve thoughts because those thoughts are completely unproductive and THAT is also vanity.

In the book of Kings I, Chapter 3, Solomon asked God for wisdom so that he could be a good king. God liked that Solomon did not ask for long life, riches or the life of his enemies, but only asked for understanding to discern justice. So God blessed Solomon with the wisdom as he asked and then, because God was pleased with Solomon’s request, God added riches and honor to Solomon’s gift of wisdom.

I have seen all the works
That are under the sun;
And indeed, all is vanity and
Grasping for the wind.
Ecclesiastes 1:14


In his life, Solomon had attained all he desired. He had great wisdom, knowledge, wealth and successes. But, he loved women – many foreign women. Solomon married 700 princesses of royal birth and he had 300 concubines. Solomon had a pattern of using political marriages to establish good foreign relations, but it was contrary to God’s will (see Deuteronomy 17:17). Solomon’s wives turned his heart to other false gods; therefore, his heart was not fully devoted to his true God. (I Kings, Chapter 11) He concludes this portion by confession that he had set his heart to know, not only wisdom, but madness and folly. This he also perceived to be grasping for the wind.

For in much wisdom is much grief,
And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Ecclesiastes 1:18

As you may have guessed, I am a product of the ‘60’s. I love all of the “philosophical” songs of that era. My generation could be best described as seekers of the truth of life. Many songwriters expressed those questions in song. But, of all the philosophical songs, I think one comes closest to the truth. It was this: “The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind...the answer is blowing in the wind.”

In our old age, we often reflect on our lives… Well, I do… I think many do. Also in our old age, God gives us a little extra wisdom and that added wisdom sometimes causes sorrow in the remembering. But, even so, we are left wondering just what is the reason for our life…

In conclusion, Solomon has thus far learned that the reason for our life cannot be found in accomplishments or wisdom. What he does know is that he will live, eventually die and ultimately be forgotten.

If you have not already read Chapter 1 of Ecclesiastes, I encourage you to do so and, if you would read along with me, that would be GREAT!

Solomon has explored the meaning of life, intellectually, in Chapter 1, yet we haven’t learned the meaning of life yet. In Chapter 2, he will determine if the meaning of life can be found in hedonism or materialism.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time
are not worthy to be compared with the glory
which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18

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March 19, 2009

Dear Lord,

I just want to say “Thank You”.

Thank You for loving me enough to save me from myself and the world. Thank You for giving your own life on the Cross for me and my sin. The devil thought he won, but You arose on the third day just like You said You would. Thank You for giving me the same Victory in You. Even so…I am unworthy.

Thank You Lord that I can always believe Your Word because I know the Bible is the inspired Word of God – Your Father and mine by adoption. I am unworthy of adoption into Your family, but I accept…with gratitude.

Thank You for Your mercy and grace. There are not enough “Thank You’s” in me to match your mercy and grace. To Thank You as much as I can in the physical, I pledge my life to You. I will serve You. When I am still, please show me how You want me to serve You. And if I am not still – please remind me to be still.

Lord, I love You as much as the capacity of love You have given my spirit to hold. My spirit is full of love. I pledge to share Your love with those who occupy the world with me. I Thank You that for all the love I give away, you give me more.

But, as You know better than I do – I am imperfect. I don’t want to stumble and fall, but stumble and fall I will ~ ‘WILL’ being the key word. You gave me FREE WILL. I just wonder why You gave me so much. Thank You Lord that my free will is nearly exhausted by long life, experience and circumstances. Whew! You gave me many lessons and quite an education. I pray that You will continue to teach me righteousness ~ even unto death. I do not need a refill of FREE WILL… Thank You very much!

Well, Lord, these are my morning thoughts as I linger in prayer for a few more moments before I begin reading my Bible. I know I’ve said this many, many times over the years, but I want to say this again and again in awe of the very fact that Your Word has survived centuries, wars, banishment, destruction, sneering, disbelief, etc. Yet Your Word has survived it all! So, once again, I Thank You Lord for preserving Your Word down through the ages, in every circumstance, so that I can read it today. I need Your Word like the very air I breathe…

Lord, I lift my family and friends up to you and I ask that You give each person what he or she needs, for You Lord are the only one who knows the real needs in their lives. I do not presume to know what those needs are, so I won’t tell You what I want for each person. But I know You do know each need and I trust You completely with the lives of my family and friends… and my humble life, as well.

I Thank You for the most recent mercy and grace You have shown me and my family. I am grateful ~ My gratitude is HUGE. Thank You for sustaining the life of one so dear to us. I Thank You that the life threatening condition was found through pure GRACE. I will ALWAYS THANK YOU for the life of the one I love.

Finally, I Thank You for washing away recent anger. I am grateful for your grace and mercy in the situation. I am grateful that you gave me what I did not deserve instead of what I did deserve. I am not proud of that… thing… that I fell into.

I Thank You that You walked with me, counseled me and loved me while I stumbled in pain. I Thank You for forgiveness when I have totally behaved like the flesh that I am. I Thank You for the assurance that though I stumble and fall, that mercy, grace and forgiveness is there… After I have been allowed to suffer for a while….

I love You, Lord.

In eternal gratitude,
Darlene

MISSING DAD

My Dad went to be with the Lord February 14, 2004. Today is 5 years and I miss him as much today as I did 5 years ago.

There are so many things that I could tell you about Dad. I could talk for hours about a lifetime of memories. Good memories....memories that will sustain me through the rest of my life. First, he was a son and a brother. Then a husband, father, uncle, grandfather and, finally, a great grandfather. In all of these roles, he was the best. Early on, he helped his Mother with the support of his many siblings. He was always there for his sisters and brothers. Later, when he had his own family, he worked even harder to give his children the best life possible. Dad did not use any unfortunate circumstances of his childhood as an excuse to be less than the best he could be. In fact, he used his early circumstances as his motivation and determination that his own children would never know lack of anything, nor suffer in any way.

I would like to share this scripture with you because it sums up the essence of my Father: “Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong, yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; for by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 24:3-6

When I think of Dad, I think of wisdom, honesty, understanding and integrity....His guidance and his values ultimately increased my strength, increased my faith and, by his wise counsel, helped me wage my own battles in life....

I had an extra special relationship with Dad. He was my earthly counselor...my Rock... and I could always trust his advice in all matters. I could tell Dad my worst problems, without fear of condemnation. He had the unique ability to see straight through the distractions to the very root of the problem. The advice he gave me was always wise, honest and straight forth. He was not critical. I valued what Dad had to say because he combined wisdom with love and he ALWAYS had my best interest at heart. My Dad's counsel was more precious to me than silver and gold. Some people ask for advice, then, maybe not trusting the advice, will ask someone else for advice, and another, and another.... I only had to ask my Dad... I could trust that he would never guide me wrong. Proverbs 20:7 says it best: "The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him." I AM BLESSED!

When I was struggling with my salvation, I really could not understand why God would forgive me for all that I had done, or why Jesus would die for my sin. One day, I read this scripture: “…what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:9-11

Suddenly, I understood how God can forgive me for things I had done because that is exactly what Dad had done - over and over and over. I also could understand why Jesus would die for my sin. Dad would have given his life to save any of his children. In the course of fellowship with other people in my church, I came to understand that salvation was more difficult for some people who did not have the earthly example that I had. Some people cannot trust their fathers, or their fathers had done harm to them, so coming to understand salvation and the love of our Father in Heaven is a concept they cannot grasp. My compassion is deep for persons who have not known the unconditional love of a good Father...A love that I know quite well...The protection of a Father who loves his children and wants only the best for them... A love and a counsel that I miss very much. I AM VERY, VERY BLESSED TO HAVE HAD SUCH A FATHER!

The Word of God tells me that my Dad's spirit came from God and has now returned to God. Also, Psalm 116:15 says "Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of His saints." I HAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT DAD IS WITH GOD AND THAT IS MY COMFORT.

Finally, I would like to read a poem that I wrote for Dad's birthday in 1989. It pretty much describes the man that Dad was:

It was 1947
That you first became a Dad;
As you tenderly held your new daughter,
What fears you must have had!

Within three years,
Our family grew.
Two more daughters!
How would you ever get through?

But...as time will,
The years flew by.
You heard us laugh,
You saw us cry.

You watched us play
And run and grow.
Your love and guidance valued
More than you'll ever know.

You are my Rock
Through good and bad.
You've earned your name -
You are my DAD!

I have now added another verse:

With wisdom you have guided me
To who I am this day.
My heart is full of riches as
I honor you today.

Thank you for the memories. I love you, Daddy. I'll see you soon.....

IN HONOR OF

THE BEST DAD EVER

FRANK OWENS

9/1/28 ~ 2/14/04

(Written for and delivered during Memorial Service for Dad – February 2004)

RIPPLES

Everyone knows that if you throw a stone into a pond, the impact of that stone will start ripples on the surface of the water. These ripples may smooth away quickly in the case of a small pebble, but have far-reaching affects when the stone is large and heavy, the ripple continuing on and on, circle after circle until the ripples begin to lap the very edges of the pond. The decisions we make, both small and large, very often turn into ripples across our lives and the lives of others whose lives touch our lives, even indirectly.

There was a very young lady who married a young widower with two of the most precious little daughters that you ever met. The young woman was a Christian from her youth, but not mature in her beliefs and faith. Soon into the marriage, small problems appeared. Except for the small problems, their home was full of love and laughter. Neither husband nor wife recognized the problems as the beginning cracks in the fragile foundation of a young marriage. Cracks, not repaired, will weaken a foundation until it can no longer support a home. Lacking maturity and wisdom, the young lady gave up just 3 years into the marriage. She loved her little daughters with all her heart, but had no legal rights to keep them. Sadly, she let them slip away with the marriage. The decision to end the marriage was like a heavy rock, carelessly tossed into a pond. The ripples from that particular decision began.

The woman, emotionally damaged by her own decision, continued on in life in an unhealthy way. She drank too much the first seven years following the divorce. Although she stopped drinking after 7 years, she continued on an unhealthy emotional path. She focused on a career, was self centered and had difficulty maintaining relationships. During those years, she managed to marry her second husband three times, having divorced him twice, and was clearly headed towards another divorce. Steeped in pain, she was her own worst enemy and, in her pain, reached out and inflicted pain on others.

Her first husband remarried and had two more beautiful daughters. The woman imagined that her first husband had a perfect life and had found happiness. As much as she wanted to see her lost daughters and know that they were well, she did not want to be the cause of problems in his new marriage, so she carefully stayed away, forfeiting all contact with the two little girls that she loved so much.

Then one day in a moment of clarity many years later, she picked up her dusty Bible and began to read. Soon, she returned to the Lord, returned to church, continued to read her Bible and began to mature in her faith. She began to see how the Lord had blessed her in so many ways - completely undeserved. She saw her past mistakes, bad decisions and bad behavior that had stolen her happiness like a thief in the night. She also realized the ways the Lord had tried to bless her and how she carelessly, willfully, threw it all away.

Faced with what she had become, the hurt she had inflicted and all the damage she had done to self and others, a regret stronger than grief set in and began eating away at her very soul.

She was in her third marriage to her second husband and headed for another divorce when revelation set in. She had wasted so many years of her life and she had hurt so many people! Suddenly, she knew that her life had not been a life that could be pleasing to the Lord. She began deliberate change with herself and her marriage, amending where amends were needed, changing things that were not pleasing to the Lord and, in general, cleaning up the wreckage. Slowly, with God's help, she healed of past hurts. Her marriage grew stronger and, eventually, healed.


Over the years, the woman continued to mature in her faith and wisdom. As time went on, the yearning for the lost daughters got stronger and stronger. As she aged, she knew that she had to see or speak to them at least one more time. The need to apologize and tell them she loved them was almost more than she could bear. But, years passed, one by one, and she was afraid to reach out. The fear of rejection was great.

Finally, the day came when the woman could no longer bear the pain she had inflicted upon others during the many, many years that she had been selfish, willful and disobedient to the Lord. The need to apologize became so strong as to be a driving force in her life. So, after 35 years, she humbly sought out her precious daughters, intending an apology and hoping for a relationship. She apologized to her first husband as well.

Right here, I wish I could say that everything was happy ever after, but it was not. It was at this point in the woman's life that she learned the extend of the damage one decision can make. She thought the first husband lived happily ever after, but found out that he did not. She learned that he never stopped loving her and that it had been a point of contention in the subsequent marriage. More people hurt... The ripples continued... Will the selfish and willful damage done by one young lady, now touching lives of persons she never knew, extend into a third generation as well? Ripples - where will they end?

But the most devastating revelation of all came when each precious daughter separately and individually confided to the woman the hurts and harm they had suffered following the divorce. Hurts and harms that would never have happened to two little girls safely protected by two loving parents. As I said, the man and woman had small problems, happily married otherwise, but lacked maturity to successfully overcome the differences...far smaller differences than each experienced in subsequent relationships and marriages.

Had this young couple sought the Lord all those many years ago, read their Bibles and lived according to the Word of God, the outcome would absolutely have been very different. The changes in the woman only came about when she began reading her Bible and seeking the Lord. I can't tell you at just what point the reading of the Bible became a passion to study God's word. When you pursue the wisdom of the Lord, you find it and all the blessings that God is waiting to bestow upon you. The Bible is full of wisdom and instruction. Bible stories have a point - always. Best of all is that when you turn control of your life over to God, in many ways, He restores what was lost. You learn the ways of the enemy and are able to avoid the ensnaring traps of satan. I would encourage you to begin reading your Bible.

A good beginning is to read a chaper in Proverbs each day. In one month, you will have read the whole book. Don't stop there...read it again the following month and the month after. Keep reading until you are able to see the wisdom afforded by Proverbs, you get it into your heart and until it shows in how you live your life. There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs. Begin on the first day of the month with Chapter 1, then read whatever chapter corresponds to the day of the month. It is easy to remember where you left off if you read the chapter corresponding with the day of the month. A wise man shared this secret with me and I am witness to the fact that it WILL make a difference in your life. Also, daily, read the gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John so that you will understand how much Jesus loves you. You may not be drawn to the Old Testament right away, but once the passion for God's Word sets into your heart, you will want to read it all! Spend time with God and He will bless you.

II Timothy 4:16 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

So, here's the end of the story: Today, the woman enjoys a loving relationship with her daughters. She is Mom again and loving every minute of it. She is also Grandma and Great-Grandma. God has restored her relationship with her daughters and added grandchildren to her happiness. Her marriage is still rock solid. Sadly, the first husband died within a year of her apology. She is grateful for the opportunity to make peace with him before his death and is more than grateful to be Mom again. The woman knows, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that her relationship with the Lord through His Word, meditating on His Word and prayer are the only things that saved her from pain and sadness for the rest of her life. Best of all, God gave back what satan stole!....

This is a true story. I know because I lived it. ....

Written by Darlene

6/30/07....

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

MAKING A DIFFERENCE


One Sunday morning, when I got to church, I found ‘Thank You’ cards in the pews. It was not long before our pastor explained why the ‘Thank You’ cards had been set out for us.

Our pastor spoke about how people can make a difference in the lives of other people without knowing they did so. At the end of the sermon, he asked that we fill out a ‘Thank You’ card for as many people in the church who had made a difference in our lives. We left the cards on the pews for the church to deliver.

I was surprised to receive 3 cards in the mail because I never really thought I made any kind of a difference in anyone else’s life. The ones who received a card from me expressed much the same sentiment. Of course, none of us really made a difference in each other’s lives. To determine something like that takes more than 5 minutes of thought while sitting in a pew.

BUT ~ That little exercise made me think about who in my ‘whole life’ had made a real difference. I don’t mean who made me feel good or who was extra nice to me ~ but WHO REALLY MADE A DIFFERENCE?

After I got home that day, I thought of people who may have made a real difference – many people made a difference, but who made a REALLY IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE AND MAY NOT KNOW WHAT THEY DID FOR ME? I prayed about it. Then, it came to me. There are two people who made the most profound difference in my life. Both were in my life at the same time. The first one is my 8th grade teacher. Academically, it was like I slept through school ~ until 8th grade. Johnny Mack Kinsaul was my 8th grade homeroom teacher and he taught my English and History classes as well. Mr. Kinsaul was also the Mayor of my small hometown. He had a presence that stood out, yet he was a humble man. I can’t tell you exactly what he did except to say that he drew me out of myself. I thought I was dumb. I had no idea that I could actually make good grades and not my usual ‘pass-by-the-skin-of-my-teeth’ grades. Mr. Kinsaul saw something in me and gently drew it out. It was like I awoke from a long, long nap ~ academically. I was AWAKE and HUNGRY to learn. I did, indeed, turn into an honor student ~ from 8th grade thru college. And, whatever it was that he instilled in me has stayed with me through my life.

The second person was Opal Wolff ~ a neighbor and an elementary school teacher. Mrs. Wolff visited our home and asked permission to take my sisters and me to church each Sunday. Since her husband’s family owned a dairy farm and my Dad hauled milk, my Mom assumed Dad had arranged the visit. Mom didn’t drive and Dad worked long hours as a truck driver. Permission was granted and Mrs. Wolff picked us up for church for the next 5 years ~ rain or shine ~ she was there.

So ~ just who do you think was my 8th grade Sunday School teacher? Yep ~ you guessed it ~ Johnny Mack Kinsaul!!! Mr. Kinsaul gently led me in spiritual growth on Sundays, as he led me academically on weekdays.

Because of these two people in my life, I became a Christian and a good student in school. These two people made a REAL DIFFERENCE in my life!

After thinking about them and the difference they made, I obtained the home addresses for Mr. Kinsaul and Mrs. Wolff. I wrote both of them letters to tell them how my life had been since school days and the difference that they each made in my life. I was in my 50’s when I did that ~ both of them well advanced in years, but still alive! I sent the letters with lovely ‘Thank You’ cards. Within a couple of weeks, I heard back from each of them. Neither of them knew that they had made such a profound difference in my life. Each was pleased to hear from me and more so that I was a better person for their actions so many years ago. I am glad I told them.

It was a mystery in my family how a neighboring teacher happened to come to our house to ask Mom if she could drive my sisters and me to church on Sundays. Mom thought Dad arranged the visit. Dad thought Mom got in touch with her. All these years later, I think it was my 8th grade teacher who saw something in me that needed fixing and arranged it all. May God always bless Johnny Mack Kinsaul and Opal Wolff.

Have there been one or more persons who made a REAL DIFFERENCE in your life? If so, no matter how long ago, I would encourage you to contact them and tell them. I am glad I did.

I know I am not an angel, but a scripture comes to mind here~

Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Hebrews 13:1-2

What might these two people have instilled in me that may have caused me to reach out to another? I hope that I might have also made a difference in someone’s life.