THE POWER OF A SHORT WALK

It seemed just the natural and right thing to do: walk my older visitor, Georgia, to her car as part of my “goodbye.” For one thing, I wanted to make sure she “arrived” at the car door safely. Though a careful driver, even in her late 80s, her legs weren't as reliable. The last thing I wanted was for her to take a misstep off our porch or in our driveway. So, I walked her to the car, chatting and encouraging her until I made sure she was in, buckled, and ready for me to shut the car door. Then we waved goodbye, the little cone on her antennae (which helped her find her car in a parking lot) bobbing in the wind as she left. When she passed away recently at 90, I'm glad those little "bye" treks are part of my memories of our friendship.

I didn't think much about that little courtesy before reading an excellent book by Dee Brestin, The Friendships of Women (Victor Books, 1980). I had the privilege of hearing her in person at a women's conference in 1999. This was the “wow” moment I got in reading her “friendships” book:

I have learned the most important moments of a friend's visit may occur when I take the trouble to walk her to her car. The very act of showing that I care enough to prolong the visit often releases from her a confidence or expression of love that we both treasure. If I'm not willing to create these parting scenes, then they slip between the cracks of time, never to be called in remembrance when remembrance is sorely needed.(p. 20)

Thinking back over my visiting friends, I realize it wasn't just the older ones whom I wanted safely “delivered” to their cars. It was, indeed, the friends whose visits, as Dee said, I “cared enough to prolong.” And as they left, I realized how blessed I was, to have such caring and genuine friends.

I've tried to make two other courtesies part of my friendship habits. One is remembering birthdays, even with just a card. If possible, it's one with loving humor or celebrating something on their list of “my favorite things.” My friend Karen, who loves snowy white owls, usually gets a card with that bird on the cover—and oh, I hunt all year for that! The other courtesy is to affirm someone's character via a note on a birthday card or in a friendship note or E-mail. You never know: it might be God's timing to defuse a negative experience or message that person recently experienced.

A walk to the car, a quick and affirming message. They require so little. They communicate so much.

POTTER HYMNS

A monthly series on a hymn of the faith.

Sarah Pollard did not like her name—not at all. When she got to adulthood, she had it changed to Adelaide, at that time—the late 1800s—one of the most popular names given girls. A native of Iowa, she went to a women's college in Boston and then moved to Chicago to study at Moody Bible Institute. She taught in several girl's schools and eventually became known as a traveling Bible teacher, helping other evangelists. One emphasized healing, and the other the imminent return of Christ. She also taught at a missionary training school. But her heart was set on Africa, and she simply could not raise enough money for her support. One night, feeling discouraged by her failed missionary aspirations, she attended a little prayer meeting. She heard an elderly woman pray—not for blessings and things, but simply this: “It really doesn't matter what you do with us. Just have your own way with our lives.”

That simple prayer inspired Pollard to consider Jeremiah 18 and the potter deciding what to do with his lump of clay. The analogy, of course, was God's sovereignty in our lives. That evening, Adelaide wrote all four stanzas of a hymn before she went to bed.

Have thine own way, Lord, Have thine own way;

Thou art the potter, I am the clay.

Mold me and make me after Thy will,

While I am waiting, yielded and still.

That poem would be set to music by George Stebbins, who for twenty-five years worked as an evangelistic musician with D.L. Moody's meetings. Many of his hymns or hymn tunes are still sung: “Saved by Grace,” “There is a Green Hill Far Away,” “Take Time to be Holy.” As for Miss Pollard's hymn output, it was also prodigious but largely unrecognized as she never wanted recognition for them. This is the only one still in use today. As for her desire to be a missionary in Africa, she did end up going there briefly, but had to leave when World War 1 broke out, relocating to Scotland. She later returned to America for ministry, but her health was broken. At age 72, she collapsed at a New York railroad station and died a few days later—reportedly of a ruptured appendix.

But her best-known hymn, “Have Thine Own Way, Lord,” birthed yet another hymn. This time it came to David Iverson, a native of the seaside Georgia town of Brunswick, whose education included—like Miss Pollard—time at Moody Bible Institute. He became a Presbyterian minister, serving throughout the southeastern United States. At age 36, he spent time with those holding citywide revival meetings in Orlando, Florida. A message by a doctor from Columbia, S.C., about the Holy Spirit, especially moved Iverson. That same day he went to a local Presbyterian church, sat down at the piano and composed the song while another musician wrote it in music manuscript form.

No doubt Iverson had learned Miss Pollard's hymn in years past, but he gave a fresh face to the potter image from Jeremiah. With a melody using only five notes, it proved to be a simple yet meaningful song to draw singers or listeners to an attitude of prayer. “Spirit of the Living God” was first published in 1929, then in numerous other hymnals.

Just a postscript: the year after writing this hymn, Pastor Iverson organized the Shenandoah Presbyterian Church in Miami. The first sanctuary was an old rustic dance hall. He would serve that congregation until his retirement in 1951. One of his sons would succeed him as pastor as the church grew and reached out to the needs of its Hispanic and Nicaraguan congregants. As has happened with many shrinking congregations in impoverished areas, the historic church structure was demolished in 2019.

But music that reaches into the soul doesn't go away as easily. Iverson's lyrics--"Melt me, mold me, fill me”--still quietly and profoundly describe the deepening soul.

For worshipful listening, visit these YouTube sites.

Sarah Pollard's hymn: Have Thine Own Way, Lord with Lyrics - YouTube

David Iverson's hymn: Spirit of the Living God ~ Invitation Music ~ lyric video - YouTube

EUPHEMISTICALLY CORRECT

The dreary, dead-of-winter months can really drag us down, especially those prone to feeling wrung out. I have one of those “happy lights” (mimicking healthy sunlight) by my desk. I also seek out positive ways to relate to everyday spiritual challenges. That's why a few years ago I decided to read Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' book, Spiritual Depression (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1965). Trained as a doctor, he'd seen his share of depressed patients. But as a Bible scholar, he also dispensed scriptural wisdom about circumstances and people who get us “down.”

In his chapter titled “Fear of the Future,” Lloyd-Jones referred to 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (KJV). Timothy, who was the apostle Paul's young protege pastor, needed a reminder that God was sufficient in every way as he pastored some challenging church plants. The same truth applies to us in whatever spiritual challenges we face. Lloyd-Jones remarked of Paul's words for God's enabling:

Though you and I may be timorous and nervous, the Spirit that God has given us is the Spirit of control, the Spirit of discipline, the Spirit of judgment. (p. 104)

He illustrated this point with a story from English history in the mid-to-late 1600s. At that time, the commoners were at odds with the Stuart line of kings for interfering in the affairs of the Presbyterian church of Scotland. Actually, “at odds” is a bland term for the severe penalties faced by the common Scottish believers who called themselves “Covenanters.”

The story goes like this. A young girl (from a Covenanter family) was headed toward a secret, prohibited communion service when stopped by the king's soldiers. Her freedom, perhaps even her life, were at stake. Her conscience would not permit her to lie. Instead, she used euphemisms in explaining her trip:

“My Elderly Brother has died and they are going to read His will this afternoon, and He has done something for me and has left something for me, and I want to hear them read the will.”

Yes, at that critical moment, she replied with power, love and a sound mind, and they let her go. Her “elder brother” who had died was Christ. At the communion service, she would hear His “will” read (scripture), reviewing what He had done for her and left for her.

Lloyd-Jones remarked of this illustration, intended to encourage those prone to spiritual depression:

Instead of allowing the future and thoughts of it to grip you, talk to yourself, remind yourself of who you are and what you are, and of what Spirit is within you; and , having reminded yourself of the character of the Spirit, you will be able to go steadily forward, fearing nothing, living in the present, ready for the future, with one desire only, to glorify Him who gave His all for you. (p. 105)

During winter's gray days (especially for those of us in colder climates), it's a message of Light worth “soaking in”...and practicing. God is able to give us the right words—and the right attitude—when we depend on Him! 

Worth repeating when you look out on a gray day: "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 181:24 KJV). 

GRACIOUS

 One of my writer-friends chooses a “word of the year” as a spiritual focus. I decided to do the same and last year chose “grace.” I signed much of my correspondence “in grace,” as a token of needing God's grace to get through challenging situations (the pandemic being just one of them!). As 2021 ended, a companion word kept coming to mind as my focus for 2022. It's gracious. This adjective is defined as “courteous, kind, and pleasant.” An internet definition site adds this Christian perspective: “showing divine grace.”

I regularly read through Proverbs (its 31 chapters provide a good daily “dose”) and find myself pausing at verses about graciousness. Proverbs 11:16 in the New King James Version says: “A gracious woman retains honor.” In the NIV, my usual devotional Bible, it's “A kindhearted woman gains respect.” Beside that verse I had written “Ruth B.,” an older neighbor who was supremely gracious and helpful to me in the year after my parents died and I was tasked with probate and emptying out the family home. She helped, she listened, she loved on me.

Because translators work so hard to find just the right equivalent word, I went to my Bible reference books to learn more. The highlight word (“gracious” in KJV and NASB, and “kindhearted” in NIV) is from the Hebrew chen or hen, whose root means “favor” or “grace.” A similar word is used in Exodus 34:6 of God when His “presence” in some blinding, supernatural way passed by curious Moses, hidden in the cleft of a rock.

Two Old Testament women especially personified this trait. One was Ruth, the Moabite widow who left her pagan homeland to follow and care for her widowed, embittered mother-in-law, returning to Naomi's hometown of Bethlehem. There, Ruth met Boaz, a good man who took her as a wife. From that union, generations later, came King David. But in their “love story,” Ruth's gracious choice found favor with people of her new land and—more important—with God. A big lesson there is that we need to bless God despite our circumstances, trusting Him to bring good of them.

Another example (1 Samuel 25) is Abigail, married to a surly land baron named Nabal. Before becoming king, David and his ragtag followers were a type of volunteer militia, helping local ranchers with a freelance police force. Their pay was whatever food the “protected” could provide. Selfish Nabal refused and David (to his discredit) decided to attack. Enter Nabal's gracious wife, who turned back the impending attack with food supplies and an apology for her husband's brutishness, plus a reminder of the bad consequences that could come of David's brashness. Her gracious actions defused a tense situation. And, in a story that seemed scripted for Hollywood, Nabal had an apparent heart attack or stroke when he learned what had happened. Ten days later he was dead. Abigail's graciousness gave her a second chance at a happier life. That story holds lessons for my own encounters with difficult people.

Our words really do reflect our hearts. Ecclesiastes 10:12 (NKJV) says, “The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious.” The apostle Paul admonished Christians to live out graciousness through words of kindness and truth (Colossians 3:12, 13).

And so...gracious. I have posted that word on my computer's screen as a daily reminder of one more way that God can work in and through me.