Bear with me now as I am working from memory and have not consulted the major players to make sure my story is correct. Hopefully, they will chime in if I got it wrong. (Except Doug. That part is correct.)

Early on, my mother developed a way to get four lively children to settle down at the dinner table. She started having us eat by candlelight. Now I am sure this was during the late fall, winter, and early spring as I know we didn’t wait till nine to eat dinner in the summer. This ingenious move did indeed do the trick as the gentle glow around the table seemed to calm all of us, and we kids were mesmerized by the flickering flames. After dinner my father would often entertain us with shadow puppets.

However, this approach did not keep my brother from having some fun, much to my mother’s dismay I am sure. My youngest sister is eight years younger than I am and ten years younger than my older brother. I am going to lay all the blame on Doug for what occurred as I am a stickler for the rules. (That is a blog unto itself.)

My earliest recollection would put Pamela (the youngest) at about three or four, and Jamie, my sister with Downs, at about eight. Dinner would be going smoothly when suddenly one of the candles would begin to flicker and wave, catching Jamie and Pam’s attention. When they would look around to see where the breeze was coming from, the flickering would stop. Look back at the candle and the flickering started again. Neither looked at Doug, who was providing this little breeze, and I am sure he convinced them that ghosts were responsible, which then I am certain my parents tried to assure the two that they were not! Once the meal was over, Doug would show both how brave he was by moving his finger through the flame very slowly, so slowly that they thought his finger was just resting there, so they would try. Yup! Burned. Laughter from my brother (I’m sure I wasn’t laughing), and scolding from my parents. Then he would secretly lick his fingers and pinch the flame out. Once again, they would try sans spit, and once again get burned.

I mention all this because despite the mental and physical scarring I am sure my sisters went through at the hands of my brother (remember, I was innocent), Pamela has had a lifelong love for candles and the calming environment they provide. So, while fall officially begins every September 22 or 23 and ends December 22, Pamela’s unofficial Candle Season begins every October 1 and  runs through March 31. Each evening she will bathe one or two of her rooms in modest candlelight and enjoy the ensuing peace it provides.

Such a love does not come without hazards, however, and she has been inundated with every kind of candle and candle holder, so much so that one whole bedroom closet is full. People do like a meaningful and easily accessible gift!

So for those of you who like to mark the winter and summer solstice or the fall and spring equinox, I encourage you to add one more date to your calendar and enjoy an indoor season . . . Candle Season. . . and relax in a peaceful environment.

There is a reason the Apostle Paul used so many athletic analogies for the Christian life, for a sporting event is a visual reminder of the preparation needed, the ups and downs a Christian encounters, and the unfailing love and grace of God. This past weekend’s Solheim Cup was no exception.

Twenty-four professional women golfers (12 from the US and 12 from Europe) and their coaches, faced off in the premier biennial women’s golf event. No money for the players, just the right to represent their countries. Some had high expectations placed on them, others were questioned as to their right to be there, but all wanted one thing--to win.

As I watched the competition unfold and the women stand up to or fold under the intense pressure, Paul’s words and the sporting parallels came to mind.  

First, these women have spent years training and disciplining their minds and their bodies for a purpose--one of which was this particular weekend. Paul likewise admonished Christians to be just as diligent in their Christian walk by saying, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore, I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (I Cor. 9:26)

Second, over the course of the three days, both teams had to remember that they could not celebrate victory nor concede defeat until the final point had been made. Paul also reminds Christians that life is more than one win or one failure and that we must persevere and continue. In Philippians 3:13 he writes, “. . . but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Likewise the writer of Hebrews states, “. . . let us lay aside every weight . . . and run with endurance the race that is set before us . . .” (Heb. 12:1).

In this particular Solheim Cup there was a huge controversy surrounding the adhering to a rule and the application of that rule. (Please head to the internet if you want to know more as I am weary of discussing it.) Once again, the Bible proves to be as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago.  Paul reminds his listeners that  “. . . if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Tim. 5), while Jesus accuses the Pharisees of keeping the letter of the law while ignoring the spirit of the law (Matthew 23). We as Christians also need to be obedient to God’s laws but more importantly remember the spirit those laws. Truth without love may not only be more harmful than helpful but it is also useless (I Cor. 13:1-3).

However, the parallel that struck me most was that of celebration and comfort. When a player had withstood the pressure to land an approach shot a foot from the pin, or hit out of trouble and win the hole, or sink a must-have putt, her coach and teammates celebrated with her. When she succumbed to the pressure and missed a crucial putt or just misread it, or hit a shot into trouble to lose a hole and was subsequently devastated, her coaches and teammates rallied around her to console and encourage her.

Such is our God and so should we be as Christian brothers and sisters. When our fellow Christians withstand the pressure and attacks of the world, colleagues, or peers and remain obedient to God, we should celebrate with them, for we know God is honored and pleased (1 Sam. 15:22). But we also know that a person has, can, or at some point will succumb to the pressure, or miss the mark, or fail in some way and be devastated (as we all can). It is then that we should gather round the individual and comfort and encourage, for that’s what God does. He wraps his arms around us, reminds us that He loves us, and that those mistakes and failings have all been paid for, so we just need to dust ourselves off and get back out there and strive for the goal. Then when our life is over, we like Paul can say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 5:7)

Like the 9/11 terrorists who exploited our weaknesses and used our own planes against us, Satan uses our vulnerabilities and weak spots to destroy our individual foundations and rip holes in our lives.
      Satan’s weapon of choice against me (and it is indeed powerful) are my own insecurities.
      I have battled insecurity all my life--in my athletic endeavors, my profession, my writing, my relationships. Every time I think I have it licked, Satan finds a new area of vulnerability to attack and the cycle begins once again. Succumbing to my insecurities can be extremely damaging because of the chain reaction it causes. Insecurity breeds doubt and doubt, worry; worry, jealousy; and jealousy, obsession--over something I have absolutely no control.
      The things I am worrying about--approval, acceptance, love--are others’ decisions or choices, not mine. The harder I try to make something happen the more futile it becomes. How do I know? Been there. Done that.
      I need to learn, as Apostle Paul did, to be content with what I have and not be discontent because of something I don’t have. God has blessed me immeasurably, yet often I still want that one thing that is just out of my reach.
      There is only one thing God asks of me and that is obedience. He will take care of all the rest--perhaps not in the manner  I envisioned or wanted--and there might be pain and disappointment, but He has my ultimate happiness and holiness in mind.
      One day not too long ago I was once again struggling with the issue of insecurity, and the attack was strong. From out of nowhere, I heard a very clear voice say, “Jody, your issues of insecurity and trust have nothing to do with [insert current issue]. The real issue is that you don’t trust Me. Your insecurity is with me.” What a revelation. And it was true. In all the areas where I have worried and doubted, I had forgotten one thing: each of those situations had to go through God’s filter. He was ultimately in control, and He had His reasons for walking me through each one. I could hear Him saying, “Let go of [current issue], and let Me take care of that, and you just follow me as that is the only thing you do have control over.
      Fortunately I have a patient and loving and persistent God who isn’t afraid to use a 2 x 4  over my head when I don’t get it the first time . . . or second time . . . or . . .
      God created me with all my talents and also allowed all my flaws.  I need to trust Him with both.

Like the generation before us and the death of President Kennedy, most of this generation can remember exactly where they were September 11, 2001, when the Twin Towers were hit and subsequently fell. I certainly can. I was driving to work a little after six a.m. and heard the report of the first attack, which had occurred earlier, and then a few minutes later I heard the report of the second tower being hit. Both times I thought the planes involved were private planes and couldn’t understand how they had gotten so off course. When I arrived at school, a TV set was already on in the teacher media room, and around 7 am, all of us who were gathered around it, watching and listening to the reports, saw the South Tower fall. Unfathomable and Unbelievable.

Recently, I was cleaning and reorganizing some old writings and came across something I had written the week after the attacks in The Weekly Update (a weekly publication I wrote for the Anderson High School faculty). I would like to share part of it with you now and wonder if the words would still ring true today. Below is what I wrote on September 17, 2001:

                                                                                                    * * * *

     All that can be said has probably been said, but please indulge me as I would like to share a few reflections of my own.

     It must be said that the terrorist did indeed accomplish every one of their objectives--just not quite in the manner they had hoped.

They tore families apart--but brought a nation together.
They shattered our innocence--but fortified our resolve.
They extinguished American lives--but ignited the American spirit.
They tumbled buildings--bur raised heroes.
They called into question our invincibility--but proved our patriotism.
They crumbled our arrogance--but solidified our pride.
They broke our hearts--but renewed our love for our fellow Americans.
They desired chaos--but delivered national clarity and purpose.
They forced the United States to its knees and humbled a great country--but before God, not terrorism.
They indeed shook the foundations of our buildings and proved that we are NOT the supreme power of the world--but in the process reestablished our trust in the ONE who is.

I also must agree with the high school student who assisted me with my shopping bags Saturday morning as she looked at the cars driving by with flags flying from their antennas.

“I hope this doesn’t all go away.”

I, too, hope that as the anger subsides, as the TV coverage decreases, as emotions wane, and lives return to normal, that our patriotism will endure; our prayers, persevere; our flags, continue to wave. And, after hearing about the recent shooting of an Indian Sikh in Arizona, I also hope we don’t succumb to unwarranted fear and unjustified actions and become what we abhor and despise.

                                                                                              * * * *

That was written fourteen years ago. So how are we doing today?

Classes have been in session for a few weeks now and the students are feeling more comfortable and have settled nicely into that steady routine of school, BUT it didn’t start that way.

I work with a group of select seniors from eleven comprehensive high schools who want to complete their senior year out at the local junior college. All must go through an application and interview process. Their GPAs can range from 2.0 to 4.whatever. What they have in common is a motivation to get ahead.

Because the college requires fewer attendance days, we must have our students begin our designated three high school classes (that only they are in) two weeks prior to the start of the college classes. This is the First day one I experience. Though some of the kids have a friend or two apply for the program as well, most are on their own. Their friends are at still at the high school. Some are the only ones from their entire school to apply. Therefore, there are a lot of nervous and scared but excited students on this first day. They look around and wonder why they did what they did and what did they get themselves into? It is a huge step for them. We work very hard that first day to start getting them acquainted with each other, the college campus and its personnel, and both their course work and the information that will help them be successful in college.

At the end of those two weeks, they are feeling pretty good about themselves. They have already made new friends and have learned that we aren’t that scary. In short, they aren’t petrified any more.  Then the second First Day arrives. College classes start. Two things happen on this day. First (and this happens every year), one of us will walk into our 8 am class and, low and behold, there is a student we have never seen before. Our students are just sitting there, looking straight ahead, and waiting. They have no idea what to do with a stranger in their midst.

The mystery is solved very easily by taking the “new” student outside and asking what class he or she was looking for. This year, it was a young man looking for his psychology class, which was indeed in that room but an hour and a half later! Occasionally some are a whole day early! Other college students just barge in while you’re teaching, not thinking that there might be a class already in session. In between classes one sees college students as lost as high school freshmen are on their first day.

The second thing that happens on this second first day is that our kids see that anxiety and excitement have no age limit. A first day at something is a first day. They are also the ones who end up helping these lost souls. We will look out of our office doors to see our students answering questions and helping others find their way around the campus as if they were old pros.

Most of us have had a lot of First Days in our lives but have probably forgotten the trepidation and excitement that goes with it. But the nice thing about First Days is that they require a step of faith, result in growth, and develop new comfort zones. So . . . may we continue to seek out and have First Days in our lives.