Considering Others

During Hurricane Harvey, Houston police officer Norberto Ramon worked with the Lake Patrol division and helped rescue more than 1,500 people.  Despite having advanced colon cancer, Officer Ramon stopped his treatments so he could fill in for an officer on the police boat patrol. He worked nonstop for three days.  When questioned about his response, Officer Ramon replied, “My main concern was to help the citizens.  Nothing else was on my mind.  I didn’t worry about me or anything.”  He later commented, “I want to get my message out that just because you have been diagnosed with a terminally ill disease doesn’t mean you have to stop living.”  Officer Norberto Ramon died on June 15, 2018, at the age of 56.  Ramon’s brother, Alex Ramon, Jr. said, “He was a warrior, he fought a good fight.  In dying, my brother has raised the bar for us when it comes to ethics in working and, of course, in living our lives.”

Tammy Waddell has spent decades teaching at Cumming Elementary, Haw Creek Elementary, and Sawnee Elementary in the Forsyth County School District in Georgia.  In 2003, Waddell was named Elementary Teacher of the Year for the school district.  Due to illness, Tammy recently retired from her teaching position.  Realizing that the end of her life was near, Waddell asked that in lieu of flowers, people consider filling backpacks with school supplies for her funeral.  Tammy passed away on June 9, 2018.  At her service on June 12, dozens of backpacks, full of school supplies, lined the aisles and covered the front of the church.  The backpacks will be distributed to the students with the most needs through Project Connect.  Teachers will visit the students in their home to present the backpack.

The second week in June, Ty Koehn and his childhood friend, Jack Kocon, played on opposing teams for a state playoff baseball game.  The last play of the game, Koehn struck out his friend and won the game for Mounds View High School.  Ty’s team was now headed to play in the state playoffs.  As the catcher ran to the mound to join the rest of the team and congratulate the pitcher, Ty walked past him towards home plate and went to give his friend a big hug before celebrating with his team.  Koehn stated, “I knew I had to say something.  Our friendship is more important than just the silly outcome of a game.  I had to make sure he knew that before we celebrated.”  “I told I loved him and he’s my brother and our friendship will always last longer than this silly game and its outcome.”  Coach Mark Downey responded, “He’s (Ty Koehn) a tremendous competitor, but as you saw, he understands there is a bigger picture and friendship really matters.”  When interviewed, Kocon said that it was “a moment I will never forget.  I was just thinking in 20 years I’m not gonna remember the score of that game.  But I’m gonna remember him coming up to me after that and just kind of being there for me when I needed someone.”

And every day we too have the opportunity to make a difference by considering others.

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 the others.

Philippians 2:3-4

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10:24

You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

James 2:24

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

James 3:17

Mom is Home!

On June 20, 2018, Mom took her last breath on earth and her very next breath in Heaven!  There is much comfort and joy in knowing that Mom is in God’s presence because of her faith and trust in Jesus as her Lord and Savior.  She is healed and without limits.  And we know we WILL be with her again one day!

Mom met Dad at a BSU event while at Texas Technological College.  When she graduated on May 21, 1951, with a degree in Home Economics, my Granddaddy and Mother were the first of two generations to graduate from Tech.  Dad graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering.  The very next day, May 22, 1951, Carl William Schoeffler married Glenna Mae Hackney; and they moved to Houston.  After a few years they moved to Lufkin and then in 1955 they settled in Pasadena where they raised their five children.  Dad died four months before he and Mom were to have celebrated their 50th anniversary.

Before they married, my parents decided on three goals that they desired for their family.  Through the years we were reminded, both verbally and by example, of their commitment to these decisions. It was important to them that their children grow up in a Christian family.  They desired that all of their children become followers of Christ.  Mom and Dad lived, taught, and modeled that for us to see.  Their walk matched their talk.  Church was a priority.  If we had a school event the night before, we were expected to be ready, on time, and attend church the next morning.  Even when we drove the 560 miles from Lubbock, to visit our grandparents, cousins, and family, we left early enough in the morning to be home in time for evening worship.  They were involved in the programs of the church and we were too.

Mom and Dad were committed to raising a close-knit family.  We attended athletic events, school activities, and other happenings for siblings and were taught and expected to support and encourage each other.  Dinnertime was a priority.  It was not unusual for all of us to still be seated at the table 30 minutes or longer after a meal telling stories, laughing, and visiting.  We attended family reunions each summer and grew up knowing our great aunts and uncles, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th cousins.  For over 30 years, our family has spent a week together at Galveston.  I’m sure this year will be full of stories and remembrances of Mom/Grandmom/Great-Grandmom.  Family traditions continue to make family time special and a priority.  We get together for holidays, birthdays, and every other chance we get.

A respect and desire for education was another goal our parents had for us.   It was always “when” you go to college and not “if” you go to college.  Of course, Granddaddy Hackney always said, “When you go to Tech…”  We were expected to have good attendance, proper behavior, a good work ethic, complete homework and assignments, study, and do our best.  Help and guidance were offered when needed.  The importance of education was passed on and encouraged in the next generations as well. 

My mom is one of the most caring, genuinely sweet, giving, creative, and thoughtful people I know.  She was always ready to help in whatever ways she could.  Raising 5 children she somehow was able to get her instructions heard without raising her voice.  She chose to speak well of people and had a great sense of humor.  Mom made our clothes and costumes, attended all of our programs and sporting events, was involved with church and school programs, and managed all of that at the same time.  The ten grandchildren were also the recipients of Mom’s loving care and involvement in their activities.  The grandkids learned quickly to call Grandmom if they had a big project.  Mom would have the supplies they needed in her craft room.  When someone was speaking of Martha Stewart one time, one of the grandsons said, “What’s the big deal?  Grandmother can do all that.”  Some of my sweetest joys this week have been the remembrances the grandchildren have shared about Mom.

Mom taught 2nd grade Sunday School for over 50 years at South Main Baptist Church, Pasadena, Texas.  Mom would make cloth bags for each child in her class which would hold their Bible and Sunday School literature.  She embroidered the child’s name on each bag.

For brides Mom would make rag bags, which were decorated, embroidered with the bride’s name, and full of rags.  When Mom and Dad had their first mess to clean up, after they married, they only had new towels and cloths to use.  Thus, the thoughtfulness behind the gift she gave to the soon to be brides.

As the neighbors that lived on our street began aging, Mom would go out early every morning and place their newspaper on their front porch. 

Mom sent birthday cards, encouraging notes, baked cakes for people, and hosted numerous showers.  Mom’s sweetness, caring, and gratitude continued even after the dementia began setting in.  Several of the caregivers and nurses, at the assisted living place where Mom lived, made it a point to come by her room this past week to tell us how much they loved and respected Mom.  Even though she could no longer do so many of the things she did before her previous strokes, they commented on how she was always so sweet and would thank them when they helped her. 

Mom has invested in and left an amazing heritage and legacy for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Now may I, too, be in the process of doing the same. 

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

     she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

     and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

     and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

     her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things,

     but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty fleeting;

     but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Honor her for all that her hands have done,

     and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:25-31

Fatherly Advice

Although we pause to acknowledge and celebrate Father’s Day one Sunday of the year, the love, teachings, and lessons from fathers impact lives daily.  My dad has been in Heaven with Jesus for 17+ years now, but the things he taught and modeled for me are still very much a part of my life, even these many years later.  Some lessons were intentional while others were observed, thought about, and then applied because I saw their worth. 

* If you don’t know how to spell or pronounce a word, look it up in the dictionary.  Correctness is important.

* Never stop learning.

* Details matter.

* The best way to get somewhere is the way you know.

* You can learn something from everyone you meet.  Either you will take what they are saying and doing and build on it or you will conclude that it may be best to go in a different direction.

* Choices have consequences.

* Kill them with kindness.  (Even though I did tell him one time that was fine, but they weren’t dying fast enough.)

* Money doesn’t grow on trees.

* Smile before you answer the telephone.

* Respect people and their time.

* Be thankful and express gratitude.

* No matter what occurs, choose to be a person of integrity.

* Measure twice; cut once.

* Humor and laughter add to life.

* Lists help you keep organized.

* Always do your best.

* Dress for the occasion.

* Use proper language.

* Turn off the lights when not needed.

* Change the oil in the car regularly and keep it in good repair so it will run properly, get better mileage, and last longer.

* Family is worth investing in.

* Take and make time for family and friends.

The love, instruction, discipline, and example of my earthly father, has encouraged me to love, desire, accept, and trust my relationship with my Heavenly Father.  Wisdom and instruction have been given and modeled.  Now I must make the choice to accept and apply it.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.  Listen my son to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

Proverbs 1:7-8

My son, do not despise the LORD’S discipline,

     and do not resent his rebuke,

because the LORD disciplines those he loves,

     as a father the son he delights in.

Proverbs 3:11-12

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

Proverbs 4:1

Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.

Proverbs 4:13

A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.

Proverbs 13:1

Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.

Proverbs 13:13

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

Proverbs 16:20.

Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.

Proverbs 23:12

A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

Proverbs 28:7