A Plan for the Future

It was Mother’s Day, 1989. After Sunday morning services we went to lunch with Steve and Melody and their children, another family from our church. Our oldest child was an impressionable 13-year-old girl. Theirs was an intelligent 15-year-old boy. During lunch, each of the six children sitting at the table was asked to think about what they wanted to do in the future. As expected, the youngest girl in each family wanted to be a mommy. The middle children had grand plans for an extensive education and careers that changed the world. It was our friend’s oldest son, Jake, whose answer left us speechless. “I want to be a race car driver,” he said, “But I don’t think I will be alive past age 22 so I am not planning for a future.” Like many teens, his answer was probably meant to shock us. And it certainly accomplished that goal.

I don’t remember the precise words that each parent used as we reacted to Jake’s plans. What I do remember is what happened the next day. It was early evening and Jake’s mother, Melody, called us with some troubling news. Jake was at the hospital with a serious injury. We took our children to their house so our oldest daughter could watch the younger children and we met Jake’s parents at the hospital. We were with Melody and Steve when they were offered a last opportunity to see Jake before they took him off life support. We were with them when the emergency room doctor said that Jake was gone. And the next day we supported them as they saw Jake in the funeral home. These were moments that no parent can be prepared to experience. All of us who provided support and comfort to Melody, Steve, and their two daughters hugged our children more often and struggled to explain the tragic death of a young teen who had so much to live for.

While we all plan for a future of some kind – from young girls who just want to grow up to be a mother to college students who plan for a rewarding career and grandparents who want to see their grandchildren grow up to be fulfilled in life – all of our plans are temporary. The nature of human existence is that our time on earth is limited. While planning for our future on earth makes good sense and it is certainly an important part of living a responsible life, we must also be prepared for what comes after this life. James 4:13-17 reminds us that while we may plan for what happens today or tomorrow, our life is “even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” Each day God gives us is a stepping stone to a final reward. Keeping an eternal perspective helps us to make decisions about what we do with the days we are given and how we prepare for our eternal future. It also ensures that we are ready for whatever may come.

Margaret Batterton

Setting an Example

What is it about you that causes others to be aware of your faith? If a co-worker or friend had a Bible question, would they know that you might be able to answer their question? We become so busy in our daily lives as students, homemakers, wage earners, and parents that we forget to allow the most important aspect of our lives to become the most obvious.

When our son was in high school, he took a Bible to school. Many lunch periods were spent in Bible discussions with friends and acquaintances. It was his reputation and example of a working faith that sometimes caused him to be bullied but often proved his honesty and intent. He did not allow what others said about him to be the standard for his reputation. Instead, his willingness to share the message of the Bible he carried outshone any words that others might have said about him.

Recently, my daughter told the story of her family shopping in a store with breakable objects. Her 3-year-old daughter, Addie, picked up an object and when told to put it back, she dropped it and it broke into pieces. Instead of walking away, Addie and her mother picked up the pieces and took them to the clerk. Addie told the clerk what had happened. The clerk thanked her for being honest and told of a similar experience that same day. A little boy had dropped an object and broken it. The family hurried to the front door. When the clerk stopped them and asked if they had broken the item, the mother completely denied it. Both children learned a lesson that day and both lessons were learned by example.

If a stranger listened to your conversations or watched your actions, would they see your faith reflected in the simple things you do each day? As Christians, we are called to set the standard for others. The Apostle Paul reminded the Colossian Christians that they were “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved.” (Col. 3:12) He instructed them to clothe themselves with “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Those are the characteristics that should be part of our everyday demeanor. Without them, we are not setting the example that Christ expects of us.

Do you make fun of those who look or act different because of a physical characteristic or ability? Where is your compassion? If a stranger needs assistance, do you walk away and pretend you didn’t see? Where is your kindness? Do you complain about other drivers when you are driving your children to school? Where is your patience? Certainly we set an example when we read the Bible, say family prayers, and attend church. But even more important are the everyday simple things we say and do. These are the occasions that set an example for those around us.

Margaret Batterton

Do All In The Name Of The LORD

Have you been listening? There is a lot more than just elephants and donkeys in the sounds you are hearing in the media regarding the current election. I am not at all a political person. You won’t find me at a political rally. I won’t be knocking on doors to discuss the merits of any candidate. I will quietly do my research and vote for the person I think is best for the country. But something interesting has been happening with the television news reporters. While talking about foreign affairs, the economy, taxes, and the housing market, the media has developed an interest in learning more about a particular religion.

 For some voters, the decision will be based entirely on the religion of a candidate. This isn’t a new trend. From Thomas Jefferson in 1800 to Grover Cleveland in 1884 and Herbert Hoover in 1928 to John F. Kennedy in 1960, religion has played a role in the decision-making process of presidential elections. Some candidates have lost the race solely on the basis of their religion. Others have certainly lost votes they otherwise deserved. The name of God has even been in the forefront of party platforms—much to the dismay of convention attendees. But what I find interesting this time is that the religion of a candidate has generated media curiosity in how that faith functions in today’s society.

In August, NBC devoted an hour of prime time to helping viewers understand more about the Mormon religion. I doubt this would have happened without the current interest in a certain candidate. Even though I have relatives who are Mormon, I learned more than I expected and very little of it applied to politics. For example, the “magic undergarments” worn by practicing Mormons helps them to feel set apart from others and to remind them of Christ. It is a concealed reminder of their faith and the fact that they have chosen to “put on Christ”. Romans 13:14 tells us to do the same, but it refers to a state of mind and action rather than a physical garment. I am reminded that even without a garment that represents my faith, my demeanor and actions should show others that I am committed to a life of following Christ.

Mormons are also prepared to serve in whatever capacity their bishop instructs. They never say no. They always serve in the way they are asked to serve. That service might be within the local group or it may be a service in the community. Young adults are called to serve far from home. They grow up with the knowledge that they will be giving at least two years of their life to spread the Mormon faith. They put aside college, career, marriage, and family to serve their church. And they pay for it themselves. The church does not help with expenses. Mormon children save their money and prepare to pay their own way during those two years. This experience helps to shape their perspective and teaches them compassion. One executive stated, “Just because you knocked on 200 doors in one day and were told they were not interested doesn’t mean the next day you don’t do it anymore. You just go back and do it again.” When they return from their two-year mission, Mormon young adults are prepared to “put their shoulder to the wheel”. It creates an attitude of hard work, thrift, and perseverance that prepares them for business and family. I was not surprised to learn that as a result of their “mission” work, top executives from many well-known companies have been from the Mormon faith. Paul reminds the Corinthians to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain.” Are modern-day Christians as willing as we should be to do our part in the Lord’s service?

Devout Mormons fast once a month. They do not fast because it makes them feel closer to God. Instead they do it as a way of helping others. The money they would have used to pay for meals is donated to the church to help pay for services and meals for needy people in their community. No other denomination has set aside as much time and funds for the needs of the community. Huge warehouses store food and household items for anyone who shows a need and asks for it. What services are today’s Christians providing to those in need and what are we willing to sacrifice in order to help others around us?  The Apostle Paul rejoiced when Christ’s name was preached in pretense or in truth. I do not have to agree with the Mormon church in order to be grateful that our national media is spending more time looking at any religion. And if the media causes me to look closer at what I am doing to spread the name of Christ, then I count that as a reason to rejoice too.

Margaret Batterton