The Third of Three Gifts

For the past 23 years, this home has been blessed by one, then two and eventually three gifts from God. They came in the form of Logan, Emili and Dillon! We have loved them, carried them, walked with them, and prayed with them. Having children is truly a blessing from God. But the childhood years don’t last long. In just a ‘blink of an eye,’ those little ones are asking for the keys to the car, and before you know it, they drive away from the house alone, for the last time. They have grown up, just like you had hoped and planned, but now what? With an “Empty Nest,” what comes next in this life? Some parents celebrate their long lost freedom. Others morn the change, and fall into a great depression. Still others fall apart and fall away. Things will be different for sure, but this article isn’t intended to address the ‘empty nest’ as much as it is to focus on the last one to leave home.

This coming August, after 27 years of marriage, Vicki and I will find ourselves in one of those ‘nests.’ We’ve known it was coming, and we’ve been preparing for it for quite some time. But if the truth be known, it got here a lot quicker than I was hoping for. When Logan & Emili graduated, we felt their absence to be sure. The home was different with only three when we had grown accustom to five of us loving and struggling together. But then, in a matter of months, our family of three became the ‘new norm.’ It was good and we’ve have enjoyed Dillon as an only child during his high school years. Still, we blinked and those years changed to months and the months changed to weeks. And as I pen this letter, the weeks are counting down to days.

Every parent asked the question; ‘Am I ready for them to leave home?’ But perhaps we should be asking; “Are THEY ready to leave home? Have I done the right things, have I given the proper advise and pointed them ‘in the way he should go’.” (Proverbs 22:6) We do what God calls us to do as parents, and then we pray for their safety and for the decisions they will make. As parents, there’s not much more we can do! God gave us those little ones to cherish, nurture and raise for the sole purpose of bringing them back before His throne.

My kids are growing up faster than I would have ever imagined. Our oldest son, Logan, has one more semester at Freed Hardeman University. He is planning to graduate in December. Emili, our second child, will be starting her fourth year there. Lord willing she will be graduating in May from Freed-Hardeman. And now this fall, our youngest son Dillon, will be driving down our street on his way to Tennessee as he prepares to stretch his wings and leave the nest. The Bruce home will return to the same condition it was 23 years ago, because life goes on and children grow up. We know that, and we all move across the time-line of life. And, like it or not, it’s the design and plan that our God has established.

Each year as Logan and Emili have moved out on their own taking on the challenge of college, I selected a song with a specific message I wanted them to remember. For Logan, it was “God Bless You, Go with God.” For Emili, “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow.” Dillon, the inspiration for the song that I believe most aptly expresses my hope and prayer for you could have been written about you. In you I see a young man who understands what it means to be humble and kind. Read these two scriptures first before reading the message of the song. You have blessed your mother and me when you shared it with us!

From God’s Word…Humble: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

Kind: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” (Matthew 7:12)

1) You know there’s a light that glows by the front door, don’t forget the key’s under the mat. Childhood stars shine, always stay humble and kind. Go to church ’cause your momma says to, visit grandpa every chance that you can, it won’t be wasted time. Always stay humble and kind.

Chorus:
Hold the door, say please, say thank you. Don’t steal, don’t cheat, and don’t lie. I know you got mountains to climb but, always stay humble and kind.
When the dreams you’re dreamin’ come to you, when the work you put in is realized,
let yourself feel the pride but always stay humble and kind.

2) Don’t expect a free ride from no one, don’t hold a grudge or a chip and here’s why, bitterness keeps you from flyin’. Always stay humble and kind.
Know the difference between sleeping with someone, and sleeping with someone you love.“I love you” ain’t no pick up line so, always stay humble and kind

Chorus:

3) When it’s hot, eat a root beer popsicle. Shut off the AC and roll the windows down. Let that summer sun shine. Always stay humble and kind.
Don’t take for granted the love this life gives you. When you get where you’re goin,’ don’t forget turn back around and help the next one in line.

Always stay humble and kind.

Dillon, as you face new challenges in this life you must remember to accept them with God’s guidance. Open doors will appear before you, but the threshold of those doors can only be successfully crossed if you go with God. If you will continue to live by the motto and “Always stay humble and kind,” I can only imagine where and what you will do! It has been an honor watching you grown into the strong young man you are today.

1, June 6, 20141, June 11, 2014

Why Have Graduations?…June 8th

Many students will ‘walk the stage’ sometime in the next few days and weeks. Whether they are moving from preschool to elementary, high school to college, or college to ‘the real world,’ we see graduations all around.

We understand the importance of milestones in life, and the excitement we feel upon reaching them. Even the ‘celebration’ of graduating from one stage in life to another can be monumental. But do we ‘have’ to have a graduation? Could there be more than just recognizing the individual accomplishment? And who is to say one is more important than another? Actually, how many ‘graduations’ do we have? Join us Sunday morning as we ask the question; “Why Have Graduations?”

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, June 8, 2014

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Blessed Be the Lord God Almighty” – 72

We sing this ‘hymn’ as we sing to our God; “Father in heaven, how we love you. We lift Your name in all the earth. May your kingdom be established in our praises as Your people declare Your mighty works. Blessed be the Lord, God almighty! Who was, and is, and is to come.” Reading Revelation 4:8, we hear the praise being offered around the throne of God; ‘Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”

“The Lord’s My Shepherd” – 134

One of the greatest ‘psalms’ that we can sing (almost verbatim) is found in the 23rd Psalm. You’ll notice the first verse of this hymn recites the 1st & 2nd verses of the Psalm David penned centuries ago. Open your Old Testament to the book of Psalms, turn to chapter 23 and then sing a ‘psalm’ of praise. “The Lord’s my Shepherd I’ll not want…”

“I Stand Amazed” – 147

This spiritual song is one that we could use to prepare our minds for the Lord’s Supper. With both the second and third verses referencing Christ’s crucifixion we are reminded of His ‘sweat drops of blood’ and the burden He bore to Calvary. So it shouldn’t be a surprise for the redeemed to sing the refrain; “How marvelous! How wonderful…is my Savior’s love for me!”

“Jesus, Let Us Come to Know You” – 768

A basic tune and a simple message…but how much do you WANT to know Him? The progression in the first verse tells us there is an order to coming to know Him. We have to let Him first; “Touch us…” then “hold us…” followed by ‘using us…” and finally “molding us…” into the vessel He wants us to be. Could that be part of the ‘graduation’ process?

“When I’ve Gone the Last Mile of the Way” – no book

Completing the task is reward in and of itself. But how much more is the reward when the task has been a difficult one? Perhaps the runner of a marathon understands that better than most. The last mile of the race can be the most straining, and yet the most rewarding at the same time. Perhaps it’s a bit like graduation…‘for I know there are joys that await me!’

“I’ll Live for Him” – 553

After the Lord’s Supper we’ll softly sing the refrain of this old hymn; “I’ll live for Him who died for me: How happy then my life shall be!…” Perhaps it’s because of the musical tempo of this song, but many seem to miss the message; if I’m living for Christ each milestone (graduation) in my life should be happy, but is it?

“Living By Faith” – 560

“I care not today what the morrow (tomorrow) may bring, if shadow or sunshine or rain. (why?) The Lord I know rules over everything and all of my worry is vain. (therefore…) I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.” Do you have a heart of patience and contentment that you can say, I don’t care what happens good or bad in my life? We’ll contemplate this as we prepare for the lesson this morning. What a great song of encouragement as we proclaim that we are living by faith!

“Each Step I Take” – 415

Our invitation song is not a typical song sung calling for a response. But as we sing we confirm that we want Christ to lead us. And that we will walk with Him and turn to our Savior throughout this life. “Until some day the last step will be taken (graduation?); each step I take just leads me closer home.”

“Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand” – 613

A song of encouragement that is meant to be sung as reassurance. Even though our lives are ‘filled with swift transition…’ (lots of changes) and even, ‘if by earthly friends we’re forsaken,’ we find comfort in the consistency of God’s strong hands. Serving as a theme throughout the song, we encourage each other to Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand. It seems that we ‘graduate’ from one event to another almost daily, but never lose hold of the Master’s hands.

1, August 20, 20131, August 20, 2013

Whose Hand are You Holding?

As the congregation spilled out into the foyer, brothers and sisters in Christ were visiting as they slowly headed toward the exits. There was no sense of urgency, but rather the sound of hope wafted through the air as adults and children alike laughed and visited with the early Sunday morning crowd.

This particular Sunday was no different than the hundreds that had taken place before and many more that were to come. Each one played out on a weekly basis and sharing a similar feeling of family unity. The busyness of the day wasn’t lost in a frenzied stampede to the doors. People, young and old, lingered as they enjoyed the company of fellow Christians. And to a small, 4 year old boy, this weekly forest of legs was nothing for me to shy away from. We were a family, a comfortable environment centered around our Heavenly Father. My parents had taught me this concrete principle from the day I could understand their words of instruction. Following our Father’s example, we will always be a family of love.

On this particular Sunday morning as I dodged ‘tree trunks’ of corduroy and zipping passed the ladies swaying skirts, I was looking for a familiar hand. One that perfectly held my small, child-like grip; and my granddad’s hand was unmistakable. Years of hard labor had left his hands rugged and strong, yet also offered to me a stabilizing and comforting grasp.

In short order I saw his large, unmistakable hand at his side, and without hesitation I reached up and took a firm grip. We walked for a while, taking in the excitement of the morning. There was no hurry. Slowly we made our way across the carpeted hallway. As we walked I waited. Surely my granddad would pick me up to save my steps. Surely he would lift me up and provide that assurance a child needs. But we walked on. As we walked I lifted my gaze and peered into the face of a man who wasn’t my granddad. All along I thought I knew who was holding my hand. From the moment we grasped hands, I was sure I was holding the steadfast, safe hand of my granddad. Though I was safe in the hands of this older Christian I wasn’t aware of whose hand I held.

My kids are growing up faster than I would have ever imagined. Our oldest son, Logan, is prepared to start his 2nd year at Freed Hardeman University. Before this month is over our second child, Emili ,will be starting her first year there. Dillon, our youngest, will be an only child in the Bruce household this fall. Last year as we prepared to leave Logan in Tennessee, I struggled with that transition. My oldest was growing up and moving on. Life was changing. Now my little girl is doing the same. She has grown up from that sweet, curly haired angel to a strong, mature young Christian lady. Life keeps moving on…

Last year as our oldest moved out on his own, I came to focus on the message of the song by Warren Roberts, “God Bless You, Go with God”. And Emili, that prayer is still my prayer for you as well. But in addition, I want you encourage you to think about the words written by Ira Stanpill in the late 1950’s. She penned the following:

1…I don’t know about tomorrow; I just live from day to day.
I don’t borrow from its sunshine for its skies may turn to gray.
I don’t worry o’er the future, for I know what Jesus said.
And today I’ll walk beside Him, for He knows what lies ahead.

Chorus: Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand.

2…Every step is getting brighter as the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden’s getting lighter, every cloud is silver-lined.
There the sun is always shining, there no tear will dim the eye;
At the ending of the rainbow where the mountains touch the sky.

Chorus:

3…I don’t know about tomorrow; it may bring me poverty.
But the one who feeds the sparrow, is the one who stands by me.
And the path that is my portion may be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me and I’m covered with His blood.

Chorus:

Emili, please remember that as you walk through this life you will have lots of questions. Questions like; ‘Why are they treating me like this? How can he do that to me? Why would she say something like that?’ There are times when people will disappoint you. At the same time, there will be days when you feel like you’re on ‘Cloud 9.’ Nothing could go wrong and everything is going right. Either way, during either day, consider who’s hand you are holding. Sometimes the hand you hold will appear to be the right one. It will look good, feel right and treat you just like you expect it to. But there is one hand (besides mine) that you need to reach out to take hold of and never let go. His hand will protect you and shield you in these tender moments when you’re learning to make it on your own. You know who I’m talking about, and even though you don’t know what your tomorrow holds, rest assured in knowing that He holds your tomorrow. As you hold your Savior’s hand remember this. Your mother and I are not far away, because…we’re holding His hand too.

From God’s Word…Humble: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

Kind: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” (Matthew 7:12)

1) You know there’s a light that glows by the front door, don’t forget the key’s under the mat. Childhood stars shine, always stay humble and kind. Go to church ’cause your momma says to, visit grandpa every chance that you can, it won’t be wasted time. Always stay humble and kind.

Chorus:

3) When it’s hot, eat a root beer popsicle. Shut off the AC and roll the windows down. Let that summer sun shine. Always stay humble and kind. Don’t take for granted the love this life gives you. When you get where you’re goin,’ don’t forget turn back around and help the next one in line.

Always stay humble and kind.

Many students will ‘walk the stage’ sometime in the next few days and weeks. Whether they are moving from preschool to elementary, high school to college, or college to ‘the real world,’ we see graduations all around.

Sunday morning, June 8, 2014

3) When it’s hot, eat a root beer popsicle. Shut off the AC and roll the windows down. Let that summer sun shine. Always stay humble and kind.
Don’t take for granted the love this life gives you. When you get where you’re goin,’ don’t forget turn back around and help the next one in line.