Lean Not on Your Own Understanding
I began my life’s journey more than 80 years ago. It was during the latter days of the “Great Depression” as my parents struggled to establish a new small grocery store in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Our family was not privileged to have great financial wealth. However, we were blessed with far greater values than money. Mom and Dad placed great importance on such attributes as honesty, fairness, dependability and their trust and faith in God!! These attributes have served as the foundation principles of my life as a Christian father, husband, an engineer, and community and church leader.
There were so many life lessons that I did not understand as I was growing up. I did not understand why I had to work each afternoon after school in dad‘s store. Why was I required to pedal my bicycle to deliver grocery orders throughout the neighborhood while the other kids were out playing baseball and having fun? It was only later that I realized I was learning the value of work, dependability and responsibility. I treasure some special words spoken by Jesus from Matthew 25:40 (“…Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” KJV). That has been an important guide to my relationships with others.
It was a great day when I met my future bride and life partner. I was a senior at Central High School and Ann was a junior at City High School. These schools were bitter rivals and there was little love between the two schools. There was no way, except through God’s grace and providence that we would even meet. I still don’t understand why I was so blessed with such a loving and caring family and have finally decided to just be thankful!!
The Lord blessed us with a beautiful and loving daughter, Cathy, and we were so thankful. When we prayed for a second child, God gave us a beautiful son, Chuck, who just happened to have a disability (Down Syndrome). We asked why? We did not understand! God said, “be patient” and God gave us peace. We asked that God would “fix everything.” Instead God said,”I have work for you.” For over 56 years we have been so blessed to see what God can do if you trust His promises! He even gave us another loving daughter, Lori. Lori is now facing a battle with cancer and is standing strong in her faith. We will get through this together. We are so thankful we are “trusting in the Lord with all our hearts and not leaning on our own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
It was a bright and sunny afternoon. I had just returned to our small home at the Navy Weapons Laboratory at Dahlgren, Virginia where I worked as a Missile Design Engineer. We had just successfully completed a day of testing for a new Navy missile warhead. As I entered the house the telephone was ringing!! I was told, “the President is on a helicopter on the way to visit the lab. He should arrive in a few minutes!” Quickly, Ann, daughter Cathy and I drove down to the landing area to welcome the 34th President of the United States. He was a greatly loved war hero of those of us who endured the hardships of WWII. He was a five–star general and Supreme Commander of the US Army of forces in Europe. He was a leader of great vision and accomplishment!
Life had not been easy for Dwight Eisenhower. He and his brother both wanted to attend college though they lacked the funds. They agreed to attend college on alternate years while the other one worked to earn tuition. Dwight David Eisenhower applied to the Naval Academy but was beyond age limit. He then accepted an appointment to West Point in 1911. The rest is history!!
It was a proud and exciting moment in my life as the U. S. Marine helicopter landed. I shall never forget how “Ike” smiled and waved to the small crowd and we welcomed a true national hero!! Most of all, I am grateful for such Biblical and National leaders and God’s grace as He guides us each day!!
Each year Hannah and her husband, Elkanah, journeyed up to the Tabernacle to worship and offer sacrifices to the Lord. There was scoffing and laughing at her because she was barren. Still Hannah trusted the Lord and prayed for a son. Hannah promised the Lord to give her son back for his entire lifetime if only the Lord would look down on her sorrow and bless her with a son. The Lord blessed her and filled her heart with joy.
When Hannah’s son, Samuel, was old enough Hannah and her husband took her little boy to the Tabernacle where she left him to assist Eli, the priest, in Tabernacle service. Hannah continued to trust the Lord and came each year to sacrifice and would bring Samuel a new coat.
One evening as Samuel slept and Eli was resting Samuel heard a voice calling. He thought it was Eli. However, Eli replied it was not him. This happened a second time. Samuel had never heard the call of the Lord. The call came a third time and Eli realized it was the call of the Lord. Eli instructed Samuel to go back to bed and if He calls again to say “Yes, Lord I am listening.” The Lord called again and this time Samuel replied “Yes. Lord I am listening.” In spite of the hardships of his early life, he grew strong in the Lord’s mighty way and he served the Lord as Priest and Prophet. The people of Israel listened carefully to Samuel’s advice.
In my own life I have found total dependence on God for His directions of my path have always keep me moving in a positive and wholesome direction. Even as Hannah prayed that the Lord would give her a son, I am certain that it was through prayer and the grace of God that our son has lived a happy and successful life. When God spoke to Samuel, he listened and obeyed and served God.
President Eisenhower demonstrated so many of the qualities I desired for myself. Although lacking finances for college tuition he found a way to assure an education for himself and his brother. I applied this model to finance my own college education by working summers and after classes. When our world was in fear and uncertainty, General Eisenhower provided the leadership and a special ability to work together with his counterparts of other nations. His example of working together to get major tasks accomplished was my model in my professional, community and family life.
From the lives of Hannah, Samuel, Eisenhower and especially my parents I have learned that it is sometimes more important to “listen” than to speak! I have also learned that it is most important to seek God’s guidance to direct our paths and plans for our lives!
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you so much for Your watch care over our families and how You have been ever present and have always guided us in the paths we should take. You have blessed our families and our Nation beyond anything we have deserved. May we always trust in Your ways and never on our own understanding. May our National leaders always seek Your ways and never lean upon their own understanding.
