“Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting; to eat,
to drink and enjoy oneself in all one’s labour in which he toils under the sun
during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his
reward.” Ecclesiastes 5:18
(The rest of the verse goes like this: “Furthermore, as for every man to whom God
has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to
receive his reward and rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. For he will not often consider the years of
his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart.” Ecclesiastes
5:19-20)
For Christmas 1960, I decided, that with limited carpentry
skills I would make my Daddy a plaque. I
found a one-inch by twelve-inch board and cut a length of about twenty inches
with a hand saw. I sanded the wood on
all sides until it was smooth as silk. Wiped
the dust off, painted it evenly (and twice) with blood-red, enamel paint and
left it to dry for several days.
Next, I found a large sheet of cream construction paper
about the same size, drew some light pencil-lines on it and carefully wrote the
letters in my best script (hoping I would not misspell anything) I used my thickest-nubbed, drawing pen and
blue-black, India-ink and left it to dry.
Once dry I carefully took a kneaded eraser and eliminated the pencil
lines.
Using Elmer’s Glue, I used a thick, soft brush to coat every
inch of the back of the sheet with it. I
carefully laid it onto the board in the exact middle and left it for a few days
to completely dry. When it was, I blobbed
a generous amount of the glue onto the face of the page and carefully spread it
evenly over every surface of the page and onto the edges of the red board.
Once it dried, I sanded it smooth and repeated the glue three
times. It was my attempt at decoupage,
and it turned out good enough that my Daddy hung that primitive plaque in our
dining room, where he most often sat, hunkered over his coffee with a Lucky
Strike (cigarette) between his lips.
My Daddy was a tireless worker who supported our family all
his life until his weakened lungs would no longer allow him to take half a
dozen steps. He was wise and had the
most enchanting sense of humour. But he
was also a lonely man, or at least I sense the loneliness. I loved him as strongly as any daughter has
ever loved (and spoiled) her Daddy.
Two years before he passed into glory, he shared with me, how
after living a very long life, he had found peace in the promise of Jesus
Christ’s gracious salvation.
Take care with love, especially His, Darlene (who still
prays for you each day)
PS: Find my
statement of faith: https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com (where you
will also find a series of beginner Bible studies to share). You can easily
find the WeakDay Devotion online by doing a Google search for ‘WeakDay
Devotion’. (Also, there is an android ‘Google Blogger’ app
you can download to read them on your phone.
Not sure about Apple.). For the
books, go Amazon
books.
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS (any updates?)
- Barbara – (my sister-in-law) recovering
from surgery to remove two cancerous growths. One became infected and she is now on
antibiotics but not well yet and for Tim who is caring for her.
- Elizabeth and Dan
- planning their wedding. Please
pray that they both are firm in their commitment to Jesus Christ as a
priority.
- Simon and Tamara and their children – Simon
(my pastor) has been chosen to support the Lord’s work in a new, more
far-reaching way. Help them prepare
throughout this year for the new challenges that await them. And when
Simon takes up the new role, let him fill it with the same grace, devotion
and love he has consistently demonstrated while at St. Marks. Strengthen the congregation to rejoice
with them and their decision.
- Christine – give her strength as she
journeys to heart-healing and pray her husband gives his heart to the
Lord.
- Family of Eric – Eric at 52 died suddenly
leaving his 47-year-old wife and three girls (ages 16, 19 and 23). Pray the Lord comforts the family through
this time of mourning. Pray for
their wisdom and for trustworthy, honourable, Bible-based friends to
support them.
- Peyton and Carter-
Grandchildren of Jeff and Rachael.
Payton is eldest granddaughter and now in her third year at
college. Carter is a senior in high
school. Both are exceptional
students and love the Lord. Please
pray they are not distracted by worldly things, that they continue do well
in their studies and that their love of the Lord increases with each day.
- Pat and Isobel –as they serve tirelessly
in challenging times. Pray the Lord
refreshes and strengthens them.
- Jasper and Bec – the new youth pastor. Still studying at Moore College and
living on campus there. Pray for
balance between academic studies and common-sense family focus.
- Elaine and Jim Pounder and their Little Church
ministry have begun a new work.
Continue to pray for their healing strength and time with family as
their ministry continues to spread around the world in a model of home
churches. They have begun a YouTube
channel Please consider
watching and subscribing to their sound teaching episodes. Website: The Little Church
World. And https://www.youtube.com/user/thelittlechurchworld.
- Jenny S– A woman who has served the Lord
as a Bible teacher at a local Bible school who has been called into a new
ministry. Give her courage and
strength as she finds her way in this new role. Give her a hungry curiosity under
change. Help her identify the
balance and value of her unique contribution. Pray the Lord maintains her health in
this time of stress.
- Audley M – In his 90s has just gotten
married. Pray for their union in
Christ and for their health and strength.
Pray for his wisdom and the effective growth of his wonderful radio
ministry (Florida, Virginia, Alabama, Indianapolis) as America hunger for
‘true meat’!
- Sophie– five-year old daughter of a
friend is chronically unwell and frail. Please pray for her, her parents and
health carers to find ways to manage the symptoms and heal her.
- Hans– a dear friend in Germany, continues
his battle lung cancer and financial difficulties. Pray his new social worker will be able
to help him through this time. Pray
for his patience and God’s mercy. Pray for his healthcare providers and
that he is surrounded by faithful and compassionate Christian friends who
will support him through this journey. Pray for his Mom (age 84) -- that their
time together is filled with extraordinary good memories and lots of love.
- Callilah- a lost child. Pray the Lord will capture her heart.
Pray for those in full-time service
Pray to uphold our Christian leaders – that they never
compromise God’s Word, are bold and courageous in the face of evil. Pray for their wisdom, safety, ingenuity,
strength and for their families.
Pray for those with ongoing health concerns
Many of us have family, friends and loved ones with fragile
health. Pray God takes special care with them and protects them in
practical ways and that the Lord will have mercy on them during this
challenging time.
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