He
has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And
what does the Lord require of you?
To
act justly and to love mercy
and
to walk humbly (prudently) with your God.
(Micah
5:8 NIV)
When
have you ever seen one of your parents get really angry? Over what
issues? How is your anger like, and unlike his or hers? (Serendipity
Bible 10th Anniversary Edition, page 1287).
I
find this almost impossible to believe based upon my own errant
behavior, but over the course of my lifetime I never once saw my
mother or daddy get angry at all – and this of course includes
extreme anger. When I consider how I have become the slave of anger
many times, I must wonder how they were able to have complete freedom
from it. I was an exasperating child at times I'm sure; how were
they able to avoid anger?
I
think at least in part their freedom from anger derived from their
philosophy memorably expressed by my father when we children would
become discouraged. He would say “do the best you can do; that’s
all that you can do.” I think they had deep assurance flowing from
faith and obedience that they were doing their best; hence never felt
compelled to project anger sourced from a sense of their own
irresponsibility.
Below
is mother's Philosophy of Life which she wrote for me at my request
when I was an undergraduate. The poem is one I wrote on her 84th
birthday.
MY PHILSOPHY OF LIFE
(Written aprx. 1965)
I
believe God is the creator of all things. Mankind
may
make many things from that which God has created.
God
made man in His likeness, therefore man has
the
capacity to love, to be kind. thoughtful and honest
toward
everyone and himself. He has the power to think,
and
use his mind to gain knowledge from all the vastness of
God’s
creation. Also, the ability to choose what is right or
wrong.
I
believe God sent Christ into the world to seek and
to
save the lost, as found in Luke 19:10.
Christ
came to reveal God’s likeness through his
teaching,
healing and saving power and His concern for all
people.
His spirit is present in the world today always
working
that his will be done.
As
far as I possibly can, I do and will teach of the
love
of God, visit the sad and broken-hearted and try to
help
them find the Way, and help all that I can regardless of
race
or creed. I must not hold a grudge against anyone or be
prejudice.
I certainly feel to be a true Christian we must
forgive
as Christ was always forgiving. I know l have had
to
be forgiven by Him many times. He is my redeemer,
and
the redeemer of all who will come to him in sincerity.
He
is my refuge and strength, a very present help in
trouble.
He is so real in times of joy and gladness as Well
as
at all other times.
I
feel as sure as I live and breathe (and oh how
real),
that life is eternal (John 3:16), For God so loved the
world,
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth
in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life.
I believe I am choosing Where I will live it, when
death
comes here, by the way I live daily.
I
shall endeavor to live as near Christ’s Way as
possible,
He being my helper and guide.
Christ
and God the center.
Mother
(Mrs.
E. T. Standifer)
Happy
Birthday !!!l (1997)
Down
the years your light has shown,
Securing
night and day,
Complex
events were made OK,
By
your steady care.
Reliable
kindness & affection,
Now
light your words and deeds,
You
have mastered life itself,
By
being Jesus’ friend.
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