From time to time I permit my mind to wander back to the days of my youth, especially to the spot along a dirt road called home during those years. The neighborhood was plowed under many years ago, at the order of Homeland Security, at the time supervised by the man who would become my son in law. The place would never be permitted to come into existence in today’s world. Poverty would have been an upgrade. Sanitary? You’re kidding? Safety? Several families lost a spouse or children to homemade chunk stoves. Many who survived the stoves suffered horribly as adults to varied respiratory diseases. Alcoholism was the order of the day, at least the week-end. It was the worst of Appalachia transported to Maryland.
Yet, some of the finest people came from that environment. Most took a few years to overcome the baggage collected during their time of living there, but I recall several men and women, not all by any means, as I have been gone from there for a little over sixty years, who are outstanding. No names. I admire their courage as well as their tenacity. When I think of them, a statement from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow floods my mind:
“Live up to the best that is in you: Live noble lives, as you all may, in whatever condition you may find yourselves.”
Many did the best they could despite… the list is long. My salvation came at the age of twenty when Jesus lifted me from the sinking sand and into the new life founded on the Solid Rock.
Longfellow’s words are worth considering as a non-Christian and even more so for those who carry Christ’s Name. Paul talked about this when thanking the saints for helping him. Get this:
Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Copyright (2017) Larry Lilly
Rock Solid IT work. Oral Deckard
Comments welcome larrylilly@larrylilly.net
Yet, some of the finest people came from that environment. Most took a few years to overcome the baggage collected during their time of living there, but I recall several men and women, not all by any means, as I have been gone from there for a little over sixty years, who are outstanding. No names. I admire their courage as well as their tenacity. When I think of them, a statement from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow floods my mind:
“Live up to the best that is in you: Live noble lives, as you all may, in whatever condition you may find yourselves.”
Many did the best they could despite… the list is long. My salvation came at the age of twenty when Jesus lifted me from the sinking sand and into the new life founded on the Solid Rock.
Longfellow’s words are worth considering as a non-Christian and even more so for those who carry Christ’s Name. Paul talked about this when thanking the saints for helping him. Get this:
Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Copyright (2017) Larry Lilly
Rock Solid IT work. Oral Deckard
Comments welcome larrylilly@larrylilly.net
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