My how time flies! Ever heard that quaint little phrase? Have you ever said it or worse yet experienced it? The house I live in was built by my Grandpa Cecil, my uncles and dad back in 1950 . So it is easy to keep track of the age of the house as well as the interesting discoveries Terri and I have come across as we have remodeled the house over the years. We’ve found some neat notes scribbled behind walls as well as spare change that made its way into crawl spaces and a 1950 calendar that was tacked up behind the wall board right behind where Grandma’s refrigerator used to sit. One item however that was not intended to be hidden forever was the backside of an attic door that still functions as such. At the top of the inside of said door it proudly states, “Artists Corner 1952”! Below the title is a vast selection of pencil art that represents as far as I know the best the Throckmorton family has to offer the world in the way of artistic expression. The contributors range from my uncles and of course dad as well as Grandpa Cecil himself. The bottom half of the door holds for its viewers at updated selection from the grandchildren of the 1970’s including yours truly. The neat thing to me is that the pictures included on the door reflect the 50’s to a tee. So what’s our contribution? Not to the Artists corner, but to life?
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to waste a minute of my life although I realize how the business of life overwhelms us if we are not careful. I love the story of one of golf's immortal moments, which came as a Scotchman demonstrated the new game to President Ulysses Grant. Carefully placing the ball on the tee, he took a mighty swing. The club hit the turf and scattered dirt all over the President's beard and surrounding vicinity, while the ball placidly waited on the tee. Again the Scotchman swung, and again he missed. Our President waited patiently through six tries and then quietly stated, "There seems to be a fair amount of exercise in the game, but I fail to see the purpose of the ball.” What a shame to miss the real reason for living. Paul wrote to Timothy, his son in the faith these words, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” His purpose for me is my greatest goal!
Dr. Dale E. Turner, MSC Health Action News writes, “John W. Gardner, founding chairman of Common Cause, said it's a rare and high privilege to help people understand the difference they can make -- not only in their own lives, but also in the lives of others, simply by giving of themselves. Gardner tells of a cheerful old man who asked the same question of just about every new acquaintance he fell into conversation with: "What have you done that you believe in and you are proud of?" He never asked conventional questions such as "What do you do for a living?" It was always, "What have you done that you believe in and are proud of?" It was an unsettling question for people who had built their self-esteem on their wealth or their family name or their exalted job title. Not that the old man was a fierce interrogator. He was delighted by a woman who answered, "I'm doing a good job raising three children;" and by a cabinetmaker who said, "I believe in good workmanship and practice it;" and by a woman who said, "I started a bookstore and it's the best bookstore for miles around." "I don't really care how they answer," said the old man. "I just want to put the thought into their minds. "They should live their lives in such a way that they can have a good answer. Not a good answer for me, but for themselves. That's what' s important." Someone has said “Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done; Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat; Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” So what does your contribution look like?
What stands out to me as I write this is the reality that each of us holds a pencil in our hands. Whether we are aware of it or not we are sketching out a life that will not only be observed by others daily but will be remembered by those who will look back on our handiwork. Each of us is creating a work of art that will outlive us and perhaps be influenced by the picture we have produced. Mark Twain shortly before his death wrote, "A myriad of men are born; they labor and sweat and struggle;...they squabble and scold and fight; they scramble for little mean advantages over each other; age creeps upon them; infirmities follow; ...those they love are taken from them, and the joy of life is turned to aching grief. It (the release) comes at last--the only unpoisoned gift earth ever had for them--and they vanish from a world where they were of no consequence,...a world which will lament them a day and forget them forever." Lord, may we leave a mark that will not only outlive us but may we make an incredible difference for Christ. I would imagine that what we love most will be reflected in the picture we produce. John Wesley stated, “ I want the whole Christ for my Savior, the whole Bible for my book, and the whole Church for my fellowship, and the whole world for my mission field.” How’s your picture shaping up?
The real artist's corner 1952
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