Significance

May 28, 2007

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.

-Winston Churchill -

Good Morning,

Over the past couple of weeks, I participated in two retirements. Funny, the older I get the more people I know who are retiring. I am sure that has nothing to do with my age.

The first retirement was an officer couple who have played an important role in my life. They were my corps officers when I was growing up in Portland, Oregon. They spent hours in the car picking me up and taking me home on Sundays for church and mid-week for Corps Cadets. On numerous occasions, they invited me into their home. They were there for my mother and me when my stepfather unexpectedly passed away. Other than camp, they were my first employers. He taught me how to play the guitar. They were corps officers over 40 years.

The second retirement was our own Jan Young’s retirement as chaplain from Family Treatment Services. It was so moving to see woman after woman come up to Jan thanking her for the positive influence and confidence Jan instilled in them. One of the women told Jan that without her influence she doubted that she would be alive. The highlight of the service was when several women sang the Ray Boltz song, Thank You. Some of the words include:

I dreamed I went to heaven and you were there with me
We walked upon the streets of gold beside the crystal sea
We heard the angels singing then someone called your name
You turned and saw this young man and he was smiling as he came
And he said friend you may not know me now, and then he said but waitYou used to teach my Sunday School when I was only eight
And every week you would say a prayer before the class would start
And one day when you said that prayer I asked Jesus in my heart
One by one they came far as the eyes could see
Each life somehow touched by your generosity
Little things that you had done, sacrifices made
Unnoticed on the earth, in heaven now proclaimed
And I know that up in heaven You’re not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure there were tears in your eyes
As Jesus took your hand and you stood before the Lord
He said, my child look around you for great is your reward
Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am so glad you gave.

We live in a world that is driven by success. We are taught from childhood to pursue possessions, positions of power; we are not only to keep up with the Jones’, we are to surpass them. The success driven life is a self-centered life.

It is so refreshing for me to see two examples of people that the world may question their success. However, no one can question their significance. They have lived their lives for the benefit of others, and others are better because of their influence. In the end, comparing success verses significance, it is not even a contest: significance wins easily.

On a separate, yet like note, I was just informed that a one of the young people that was served by our Family Intervention Services program, Keanalu Chartrand, has been selected to receive the 2007 Spirit of Youth Award to be presented on June 11th in Washington D.C. The Spirit of Youth award is given annually by the Coalition for Juvenile Justice to recognize a young adult who has made great strides through involvement with the juvenile justice system, has overcome personal obstacles, and is today making significant contributions to society. Nalu will be traveling to Washington D.C. with Mr. Wally Lau, Chairperson of the Hawaii State Juvenile Justice Advisory Council, to receive this prestigious award.

My unending thanks go to Pauline and the wonderful Family Intervention Services staff for their excellent work and their lives of significance.

Blessings,
d

What Can a Guy Learn at Women's Camp?

Your days at most cannot be very long. So use them to the best

of your ability for the glory of God and the benefit of your generation.
-William Booth-

Good Morning,

What can a man learn during a worship service at Women’s Ministries Camp? A couple of weeks ago I attended the Sunday morning worship at Camp Homelani. I must admit I felt outnumbered, but also a little pampered and special. Two very special lessons were reinforced in me during the service.

The first lesson came during a worshipful dance by women from Lahaina. Their expressions were no less than radiant and joy exuded joy. I was enjoying the dance, when my wife leaned over and told me that all the women in the group, save one, was homeless. That is when I became transfixed on their smiles. They were happy. I thought, as I watched, about the situations they must face every day of their lives. They deal with struggles and frustrations that I can never understand. Yet, as I watched, I saw none of this.

I have a t-shirt that I work out in that reads, “He who dies with the most toys, still dies.” While that is certainly true, we live in a culture that may not believe you can take it with you, but money, possessions, position, etc, all have a great bearing on the value place upon a person. We pay attention to the important and ignore the one we deem less important. Certainly the one who possesses more is happier and more content than those who have little or none. Not only is that statement untrue, it demonstrates total ignorance.

Reach into your pocket. Do you have any money at all? If so, you are richer than most people in the world are. Most people in the world have nothing. The author of the Book of James simply wrote, “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” James 2:5

As I watched the women of Lahaina dance, they ministered to me. They touched my heart, they taught me a very important lesson, the value, and significance of a person has little or nothing to do with what they possess, but everything to do with to whom they belong.

The second lesson came in the form of a person, Lorie. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow, however, we are secure enough in our health that we make the assumption tomorrow will always be there. Not so for Lorie. She is dealing with significant health issues that most of us cannot comprehend. One would think that a person dealing with such issues would be negative; they would be asking, “Why me?” Not so for Lorie.

Lorie’s testimony was about live, hope, and the faithfulness of God. She lives each day encouraging others through the gift of poetry. As you read her poems, you read nothing of dark days or the brutal unfairness of life. You read things like:

Always by your side
You need to realize
When you’re feeling lonely
He is there for you only.

Holding you close
Loving you most
When you’re empty inside
He looks at you with pride.

Because he sees it all
And it’s him that you call
You could have given up
But you did not
So…

Cheer up the Lord loves you a lot.

© 2007 Lorie A. Yocum

I sat and listened to Lorie, and was in awe of her faith. You see, faith to Lorie is not a theological term or some topic contained in a sermon; faith is the essence of life. The lesson Lorie taught me, and teaches me every day that I see her is, faith is taking one more step when all that is within me cries out in fear and trusting in our Father’s love.

What can a man learn at Women’s ministry camp? Well, I must admit, this man learned a lot.

Blessings,
d