On Ants and Grasshoppers

As I walked Lily this morning (Coco is getting a new "do" at the groomer), I noticed that the multiple ant hills on our regular route are dormant: no little red dots scurrying across the sidewalk carrying their tiny burdens. Lily, who has a habit of sticking her nose into other creatures' business, paid the hills no mind.

A Bible verse came to me, probably because I'm reading Proverbs at present in my quiet time. Proverbs 6:6, "Go to the ant ... consider its ways and be wise," reminds us to be diligent in providing for our families, and like the ant, to store up for a rainy day.

Then I remembered one of my childhood favorite stories, "The Grasshopper and the Ants." I played the record (yes, one of those platters that went round and round!) endlessly. I loved hearing how the poor grasshopper, who hadn't planned for the winter, was taken in by the industrious ants. Out of the cold and into the warmth of the ants' little home, the grasshopper was spared from starvation. Of course, the grasshopper learned his lesson: like a good Boy Scout, be prepared!

Our nation is presently in a quandary as to what to do with the nation's poor. What is a Christian response to the fact that the poverty rate has risen, and more people are on food stamps? Should we cross examine every person who comes to a food pantry to determine his or her worthiness? Or do we care for everyone, no questions asked?

I like to think of these matters as paradoxes. On the one hand, "If a man will not work, he shall not eat," said the apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:10. On the other hand, we read dozens of verses from both the Old and New Testaments about God's concern for the poor. Jesus described His sheep as those who feed and clothe the hungry (Matt. 25:35-36). In fact, the least little kindness is considered "as unto Christ." Note that no mention is made of whether these are the "worthy" poor.

At the same time, do we truly "help" if we are enabling persons to spend food money on drugs, alcohol, or gambling? Or even on junk food, gum, or soft drinks!

This is not an abstract question for me. For several years I directed a church-based ministry that sought to ferret out the truly needy from hucksters and slackers. Twenty years later, when I returned to visit the ministry, I found my case file #1 was still open! Some family dynamics seem never to change.

I would rather err on the side of helping than withholding. (I often did "err.") But I also refused help to those who lived off the hard work of others. I wish society would spend more dollars on social workers than sports stadiums!

My advice? As our nation gets ready to celebrate "Make a Difference Day," find one specific step you can take to help a family in need. Ask your pastor or staff person for a recommendation. After all, we live in the "Volunteer State."

Everything I Needed to Know, I've Learned from My Dogs

My two malti-poos squabble like typical siblings. It occurred to me at breakfast this morning that they are much like Christ's disciples. Coco started the fuss by trying to eat Lily's food. She always prefers what Lily eats because Lily is older and thus Mama's favorite. Whatever Lily gets surely must be the best!

In reality, Lily is on a low-fat canned dog food for, shall we say, plump dogs. Lily's food comes from the vet's office, but personally speaking, it's pretty lame. On the other hand, Coco's food is full of protein. Since she's still considered a puppy, she needs a calorie-laden diet. Coco should love her food; after all, Lily does.

Yes, I mean Lily. Lily sneaks around and eats Coco's food behind my back. Her increasing girth gives her away, even if I hadn't caught her "in the act." Now, I understand why Lily eats Coco's food. It's tasty and fattening! What I don't understand is why Coco tries to eat Lily's.

I've thought about this paradigm a lot since Coco took up residence eight months ago, right from the breeder's arms into ours. "She loves her food," the breeder assured me. Yeah, right! Right until she saw that she had a choice.

I'm reminded of Adam and Eve in the garden: wanting what they can't have, assuming the divine Parent has deprived them for no good reason, and taking matters into their own hands. My doggie-girls, like modern-day disciples, want what others have, even if it's not good for them. And, we too can't believe a loving God would keep us from having our desires!

I've tried to explain to Lily that Coco's food isn't appropriate for her. She cocks her head as if to say, "But I like it. You are withholding blessings from me." And my sweet baby Coco is determined to eat "what the big kids get."

Mama knows best, I've told them, recounting the many ways I take care of them. Why don't they trust me? Why don't I trust God? Maybe if I'm a better disciple, living by faith in God's goodness and provision, my girls will get the hint.

Unfortunately, Lily and Coco don't have a new nature in Christ. They still live in a dog-eat-dog world (sorry, I couldn't resist). Father, help me with my envy of others. May I accept what you have for me, your kid, unconditionally loved.

The Real Deal: Being Authentic in an Inauthentic World

I was in graduate school and slightly in love. Well, maybe a lot in love. But I kept to the high school maxim: "Never let him see you in curlers with no makeup." Supposedly, if you revealed your true self (or face), your true love would high-tail it to the woods and never be seen again.

So with hair perfectly coiffed and a carefully chosen outfit, I met my date in the front lobby of the dorm (yes, a dorm), and we headed out to his church van full of teenagers from his part-time pastorate. The plan was to take them to eat at a fast-food place and then head downtown to a statewide youth evangelist event.

At the burger place, I bit down on something hot, followed by a cold drink from my soda. The combination was unfortunate for the crown on one of my front teeth. It cracked along the back side and was hanging by a thread.

How do you bring up the fact that you have two capped teeth to someone you are dating? "Oh, by the way, do you see these two fake teeth? Ha, ha." I didn't know how to handle my embarrassment, much less in front of the teenagers (who are as a sub-set of the population notoriously cruel).

So, I did the only thing I knew to do. I rushed toward the van and told him to take me back to the dorm--no explanation, no details. Just take me back. He left the kids to finish their meal, and when we got back to the dorm, I fled up the steps without so much as a goodbye kiss. I called my dentist, who agreed to meet me the next day at his office.

I didn't have to worry about never seeing my date again. We had already made plans to go to his parents' house for the weekend for my very first visit! Now his mother would see my temporary cap and my other front tooth and ask her son, "What were you thinking?"

I worried about "my first impression" (no pun intended) all weekend. No one asked about my smile. I left the house feeling relieved that I hadn't left one or the other tooth in a piece of steak. Nobody seemed the wiser.

Shortly thereafter my true love and I announced our engagement, and the "tooth fairy" shined down on us until years later when I broke another crown!

Why couldn't I have just made a joke of my situation on that awful night at the fast food restaurant? Why was I afraid I'd be judged by my appearance, or lose my boyfriend over a slight imperfection? More importantly, why do I still hide out when it comes to letting my imperfections be known?

I even play that game with God. Somehow the Creator of the Universe isn't going to figure out I'm faking it in worship, or acting more pious than I am, or being nice to someone I really can't stand. Somehow the Almighty will be impressed with my "Sunday self." Oh, God, help me be real, especially with You."

Precious Moments

The document verifies the date: 42 years. How could Sim and I have been married that long? Why, it seems like only yesterday we were battling over important life issues such as "When is bedtime?" and "How much stuff is one allowed to stack in one's closet?" In fact, it was yesterday. And the year before that and the year before that—well, you get the picture.

"They say" opposites attract, and I suppose we prove the adage. I'm structured; he's spontaneous. I like neat; he likes everything out where it can be seen. I'm an introvert; he never met a stranger. I am by nature contemplative; Sim thinks on his feet.

We always said, mostly in jest, that we stayed together because of the kids—whoever left had to take them with him or her! So, on our anniversary night, it seemed appropriate to invite our youngest, Mark, to join us for the festivities. He brought us a card that reminded, "A life together is made up of loving, silly, important moments, but mostly, moments with each other."

Three friends have recently lost their mates. Today, Sim and I have precious moments together. I hope we don't waste any of them.

Barbed Wire for Fun and Eternal Profit

Entering the office of seminary professor Dr. LeRoy Ford, I was immediately struck by the different strands of barbed wire decoratively placed around the walls of the small room. I was in my first semester as a religious education student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The year was 1967.

Following my eyes and sensing the question forming on my lips, Dr. Ford explained that he had joined a barbed wire collector's club in Fort Worth. Perhaps he was reared on a farm, I thought. But after a little gentle probing (we shared the trait of curiosity), he explained that he had joined the group as an opportunity to witness.

My next thought was that I had just met "The Nutty Professor."

"I don't get to know many unsaved people," Dr. Ford continued. "This seemed like a good place to meet a few." Stunned by his creative approach to evangelism, I would soon discover LeRoy had a creative approach to everything.

He loved photography, skilled in picturing flowers and other wonders of nature. He relished the Mexican culture and studied all things Aztec. He was a Baptist historian, a talented cartoonist, an artful editor, and the author of several books.

LeRoy supervised my doctoral dissertation. He got me my first writing assignment with the Baptist Sunday School Board (now LifeWay). I took every course he offered, including his very first practicum on curriculum design. I modeled my teaching, curriculum writing, and editing on the skills, instruction, and values of LeRoy Ford.

Our earthly friendship of 45 years ended yesterday. Dr. Ford died July 9, 2012, after a short stay in the hospital. I already miss him.

LeRoy is survived by his talented wife Jeanette, an archivist and author in her own right, children and grandchildren, and hundreds of students. I was his favorite, I tell myself, smugly. We all thought we were. He made everyone feel special.

Freedom from Religion?

As we approach Independence Day, I'm confused about a group known as the Freedom from Religion Foundation. It promotes non-religion—that is, the right not to believe in God. I guess I'm confused because the right not to believe is a belief! This group believes there is not a supreme being.

But the Freedom from Religion Foundation does not call atheism a religion because then the foundation would have to free itself from itself. However, atheism is a belief system. Atheism purports to answer the questions: where did I come from? (a one-celled amoeba) What's wrong with the world? (religion) What's the meaning of life? (leave it better than it was) Where do I go when I die? (nowhere) It fails to answer what "better" would look like because, of course, truth to them is relative. But I digress. For a fuller treatment of this subject, read chapter 6 of my book, When Christ Sets You Free.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation actively seeks to eliminate religion from secular society—schools, the airways, the halls of Congress and state legislatures, and the military, to name a few. Its lawyers sue to stop public prayers and other displays of religion, such as manger scenes on public lawns. Of course, it also wants to express freely its right to win converts to its position, or-er-belief in nonbelief.

If the U.S. were "free" from religion, we would then only be "free" to practice non-religion. We would have to live as though we were not religious—except in our churches, synagogues, and mosques.

I think I've just described Communist Russia, where the religious were only allowed to practice their faiths in a few state-sanctioned churches—churches that abided by the rules imposed on them. This is still the case in Communist China.

This way of life is not appreciably different from the many countries that allow only one state-sanctioned religion. For example, you are only "free" to be a Muslim.

I'm beginning to wonder if freedom from religion isn't religious oppression. Methinks this Independence Day, I'm going to thank God for freedom to worship in America. I may not have many more opportunities.

It's a Plot!

The Writer’s Plot Writing Conference
The Story Continues...
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Furman University
3300 Poinsett Hwy, Greenville, SC 29613

Keynote Speaker: Harold Underdown
Early Bird Special Price: $80 until June 16th
Regular Price (after June 16th): $100
Manuscript Critique: $45 (first 10 pages)
Special Critique with Harold Underdown for rejected manuscript consultation: $45 (first 10 pages)
Deadline for submission: June 16th

Register online: www.thewritersplot.com
10% discount for TWP members for all prices

Presenters include:

Harold Underdown – consulting editor, former vice president & editorial director at ipicturebooks, former editorial director at Charlesbridge, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books

Edie Melson – social media marketing expert, author of best-selling ebook, Social Media Marketing for Writers and a devotional, Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home When Your Soldier Leaves for Battle

Vonda Skelton – author of Seeing Through the Lies (for women), three Bitsy Burroughs Mysteries (for children), and numerous magazine articles for adults

Patricia Thomas – author of 7 picture books, including “Stand Back,” said the Elephant, “I’m Going to Sneeze!” as well as numerous magazine articles and short stories

Pam Zollman – award-winning author of 40 children’s books, hundreds of short stories and articles (for adults and children), and former editor at Highlights Magazine.

Alan Gratz – award-winning author of six children’s and YA books, short stories, magazine articles, plays, and several episodes of A&E’s City Confidential

Jessica Alexander – Associate Editor for Peachtree Publishing

Katya Jensen—Editorial and Subrights Coordinator for Peachtree Publishing

Diana Flegal – Literary agent with Hartline Literary Agency