The Journey Continues: Reflections from 45 years of journals
My journey this week reflects that because of COVID-19, I had time to review my 45 years of daily journals. My Georgia friend Jim Bazemore said, “A faintly written word is more powerful than the best memory.” These written journals help remind me of some good memories.
I always recall that Moses, when camped on the plains of Moab, was commanded by God to record the progress of the stages of the Israelites journey (Numbers 33:2 NIV): “At the Lord’s command, Moses recorded the stages of the journey. Paul in the New Testament hoped that what he wrote would bring gentiles and Jews to Jesus Christ. (II Corinthians 3:2 NIV): “Your lives are a letter written in our hearts, and everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you.”
Here are some highlights in the journals I share with you this week:
#1. A skeptic and a little girl were discussing the Bible story of Jonah. The skeptic asked, ‘Do you really believe a fish swallowed Jonah?’ The little girl replied, ‘Yes I believe this story; anyway, when I get to Heaven, I’ll see Jonah and ask him how it happened.’ Trying to make her think, the skeptic said, ‘What if he is not there?’ The little girl replied: ‘Then you’ll have to ask him.’
#2. Lloyd Pruitt from Redwood told me about working at the Broken Arrow Ranch on FM1978, where he heard George Strait make a quip about love: “You can lead a heart to love, but you can’t make it fall.” (meaning not everyone loves you back).
#3. Lloyd recently recalled an event in Mrs. Fleming’s first-grade classroom at James Bowie Elementary School in 1976. Gov. Jimmy Carter (candidate for President) stopped by the room and with a big smile, gave each student a nickel-size campaign button centered with his picture and a green border. He said, “I still have that button and wonder if the other kids still have theirs.”
#4. That conversation reminded me of President Jimmy Carter and the Camp David Peace Accords he hosted in September 1978. I wrote a column about “Names and their importance” in 2017. At that time, I contacted the Carter Center to verify the truth of the following story: “Talks were stalled, and as the Israeli delegation prepared to leave, Prime Minister Begin asked President Carter for a personal photo to give his grandchildren in Israel. Carter sent his aide to request the names of the children to personalize each photo. Touched by Jimmy Carter’s thoughtfulness, the Prime Minister did not leave but rather asked to take another look at the peace proposal.” The resulting Camp David Peace Accords are still in effect today. The Carter Center archivist confirmed the truth of this story, which I then used to illustrate how very special our names are. Jesus always addressed people by their names.
I leave you with three thoughts: 1. Consider writing your own journal; 2. Practice calling people you encounter by their names; and 3. I pray that you know Jesus who spoke these words as recorded in (John 14:27 NIV): “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives peace. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Pass His Peace.
