Friday's thoughts

"Too Bad for the Sad Dad'

The sermon has changed appreciably. Actually, I'm looking at something that would be reflective of "The Glad Dad" and I'm going to give some attention to Zebedee who was the father of James and John and who was married to Salome. I am going to consider what it was for a father to be proud of his children and his role in life in spite of the fact that he was the least well-known member of his family.

If you have thoughts about this send them on, please.

I have been at my nephew's wedding in Italy. I was sitting at the table at the rehearsal dinner visiting with the three young adults at my table. We were talking about the most incredible sight we had seen in our lives. One of the young men was a graduate of the Naval Academy. He talked about the time he was on a battleship that came into a small Russian village not long after the fall of the Soviet Union. They were invited in and they were the first non-Soviet people ever to come into this small isolated town. The people were gracious and appreciative. The ship prepared a Western Barbecue for the entire town. There was such a wonderful feeling between the navy people and the town's people. Mark believed for the first time there was a possibility for world peace.

Svetlana, came from Bulgaria. She was educated at Dartmouth as an engineer and works in New York City. Her apartment was in sight of the World Trade Center. She was at home preparing to go to work when the planes hit. She will never forget watching the buildings fall, but that is not the most lasting impression. She will always remember the spirit of the people of New York. As they prepared and as the left the city there was an attitude of respect and concern. People did not panic. They were almost reverent as they looked out after each other.

As I listened to Mark and Svetlana I was impressed with their maturity and articulateness. They are wonderful young people. I thought, as a father, how proud their father must be.

I think Father's Day is not a day set aside to honor our fathers. I think it is a day for fathers to think about the influence they have had and to be proud of their children.

If you are a father, or if you are a "father-figure" I wish for you a day to think about this important aspect of your life.

I would like to hear from you.

Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Charles

PS
It's good to be back