Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
When the phone rang it called to attention our thoughts amidst the daily routine of living life in the ministry. As Janice answered the phone I could hear by the tone of her voice that it was a serious call. Alice had passed away in Missouri. Three weeks previous to her death she was still living alone in her apartment, caring for herself, and attending church every Sunday. A small stroke had caused her to be hospitalized and not wanting to be a burden to her family, she informed her son, “I think it is time that I go to the nursing home”. A few brief days later she entered heaven.
After making the necessary arrangements to attend Alice’s funeral, Janice and I left for Carterville, MO. It felt good to see family when we arrived. Friends had gathered in my brother-in-law’s home that I had not seen in many years. There were new people to meet as I had never met Alice’s daughters before. We had known Alice for many years and hosted her at our home many times. She was Roger’s mother, the husband of Janice’s sister, Janine.
I was proud to sit beside the family at Alice’s funeral. Everyone listened intently and focused on heaven as Janice played the piano. My mind briefly began to recall a cherished Christmas memory from long ago. Jennifer was in grade school and we had gone to Janice’s sister’s home for the Holiday. All the cousins were there in Norton, Kansas. Verner and Alice were there too from Omaha, Nebraska. In the afternoon family members gathered with Christmas joy still overflowing on their faces as they each found a seat in the large living room. The Christmas tree was glowing and the tasty family dinner still filled the house with the seasoned aroma of Christmas.
Janice was playing Christmas music on the piano as little Jennifer accompanied on her violin. Oh, how beautiful was the singing of the family choir that joined in song. On top of the piano there was a violin that Verner had made himself years ago. He was now unable to speak. A stroke had deprived him of his voice. You could see on his face the joy of listening to the little girl play. Verner got up slowly and carefully from his chair. His weakened legs seemed to be strengthened by a special determination in his feeble small steps as he approached the piano. The music stopped when he arrived at his destination. The room was filled with wonder much like the quietness of fresh falling snow on the meadow. Verner reached for the violin that he had crafted by his own hands in younger days now long past. He had been an outstanding professional chemist throughout his exemplary career. His craftsmanship in the wood shop showed that he was an accomplished Luthier.
The silence of the moment was broken. It was like sitting in the grandest concert hall as the concert master entered and tuned each of his violin strings and thereby tuning the entire grand orchestra in anticipation of the entrance of the conductor. No word was spoken as everyone watched Verner extend his arms. In one hand was his tuned violin and in the other hand was his bow. He placed them both into Jennifer’s hands after she laid her own instrument down. She raised the violin to her chin and began to play. He stood there watching every move and listening to every note. Tears flowed from his eyes and down his face as she played his violin for him on that Christmas afternoon. A concert to be remembered deep within the hearts of those who were so moved by the melody of life witnessed by this gracious act. A priceless moment of time never to be forgotten A Christmas gift that was the celebration of life, the celebration of birth, and the celebration of family all blended together in praise to the faithful God who gave us His son, Jesus. A blessing that extends to a 1,000 generations.
My thoughts turned back to the funeral service and the life of a gracious Christian woman. As Alice’s obituary was read I listened intently and was personally challenged and humbled by her life experiences. Alice was born in 1903, Teddy Roosevelt was President. The American history, the experiences of life, and the cultural changes that had taken place in her lifetime were almost unbelievable. She was alive before there was an Income Tax and before the Titanic sailed on it’s maiden voyage, Her husband Verner, was a veteran of World War I. She had raised 5 children, 3 daughters and 2 boys all of whom graduated from Bible College. Alice and her husband had been instrumental in establishing the Irvington Christian Church in Omaha, NE. Their lifelong commitment to Christ and His Church are still a living witness long remembered in the history of the Christian Church in Eastern Nebraska.
As we drove home from Missouri reflecting on what we had just experienced my thoughts were drawn back to the days when I was a freshman attending Dakota Bible College. Just before college started that year I drove to Iowa to attend the funeral of my fathers’ Great Great Uncle. Mr. Schmidt died at the age of 105. He was born only one year after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in 1866. He was a post master in a small Iowa town whose years of retirement were more than the years he worked. Today there is still an oil portrait of Mr. Schmidt in the lobby of the Post Office building in Iowa where he served. I recall as a small boy seeing him at family reunions. My earliest recollection is seeing an old man seated in a lawn chair and being somewhat fearful when my father took me by the hand to introduce me. He reached out his hand and firmly shook my hand, smiled, and said, “Hello Paul it is nice to see you”. The American history, the experiences of life, the cultural changes that had taken place in his life were also unbelievable.
Mr Schmidt was a member of the Christian Church. His commitment to Christ saw his family carry the Gospel into the Dakota Territory and eventually lead to the establishment of the Christian Church in Sioux Falls, S. D. He was an early pioneer of the faith whose dedication to the Word of God continues to carry an influence in South Dakota and in my personal life as a minister.
One Hundred years from now what legacy will you have left behind? The day to day living of life influences generations yet to be. Someday a family member will be moved by your history, your experiences, and cultural changes that you faced.
The gem for our treasure box today is that we must lift up Christ in all three of these areas and have committed hearts than yearn to follow the Word of God all the days of our life.
Do you realize that America is so young? Just think, going back another 100 years from the birth of Mr. Schmidt would place you 10 years before the American Revolution.
Paul Sisson, Minister
TREASURES FOR THE HEART 