"Don’t be sad that it’s over. Smile because it happened." Vin Scully Children's Sunday School classroom overcrowding left our church at risk to be shut down by the Fire Marshall. The decision of the elders was to discontinue adult classes so parents would not have their children in class for more than one service. This had a disastrous effect on the singles class and eventually on the singles ministry altogether. The day of the announcement Willard Black, elder and liaison to the singles ministry, came to our classroom (held in rented space at a nearby college) to discuss our options, but first he had to address the backlash of emotion. I remember what he said as if it was yesterday. “Life is stewardship, not possession.” Or, in today’s vernacular, “Change Happens.” He went on to say that when change occurs which you have no control over, it can be frustrating. Our only real option is to decide how we will handle the change. Willard said that we will always have the friendships. And then he added, “No one can take away the memories of your time together.” Not surprisingly, it’s been many years since that Sunday morning and there are still many of us who stay in touch. We see each other at weddings and exchange Christmas cards despite the fact that time has separated some of us by hundreds of miles. Occasionally a larger group gathers for mini-reunions and we greet each other as if no time has passed at all. Have you had change imposed on you that you don’t agree with? Are you having a hard time dealing with the change? What can you do to begin changing your frustration to appreciation, and your frowns to smiles so you can move on? Lord, continue to teach me to be a good steward of time with friends and family, making memories whenever possible. Amen “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.” Philippians 1:3-4 What are your thoughts? Libby
Note: Willard Black founded Institute for Christian Resources in 1975 to provide a network to facilitate the distribution of resources in Eastern Europe; Open Door Libraries opened its first library in Prague in 1999.
2 Comments
Joyce Kearney
3/20/2017 06:35:39 pm
Libby, this is wonderful, maybe the best I have read.
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Libby Taylor-Worden
3/21/2017 04:40:55 pm
Thank you. I ran into Willard a few weeks ago at a writer's conference and told him I had written a blog that used a quote from him. I've never forgotten his statement, "Life is stewardship, not possession."
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WelcomeI love the wisdom of the ages gleaned from relevant quotes. In them there is a connection to the human experience that crosses all borders. Join me as I relate my personal experiences, and link the wisdom of the quote to the Source of all wisdom: God's Word, the Bible. Enjoy, Libby Categories
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