Pioneer Christian Monthly - September, 1985

A Quiet Morning
Wilma Dove

Dear Mom and Dad:

Here I sit this morning at the kitchen table thinking about what my life has been like. I realize that there are so many things that I should be grateful for, many of which I take for granted each day.

There are days when I feel we are not very well off. We haven't been able to afford a house yet, and we don't get home for visits very often. Most of our furniture is second-hand and a second car sure would be handy for taking Adam back and forth to the babysitter when I work. Will we ever have all the things we need?

But whoa! When I stop and look around me I have no need for feeling that way. Haven't we always had everything we needed and a lot more besides. If I take the time I can see a totally different side of everything.

From the time I was little you both have worked hard to see that we had food and clothes enough. We could always go to school and you even made it possible for me to go to university. God gave the abilities both physically and mentally for me to take advantage of these opportunities.

Spiritually too, we really had it easy. Growing up in a Christian home, I learned by example how to pray and read the Bible. We kids were always allowed, encouraged and assisted to go to VBS and Summer Camp even if it did fall in the middle of haying and harvesting. Did we even appreciate the opportunity? Looking back I sure do now!

What I am now has been greatly influenced by all the advantages I had as a child. I appreciate working both at home and at my job because you taught us how to work together both for the joy of working and to get the task done. And the reward: when the work was done we had a feeling of accomplishment and you both sometimes had time to join us at play. A game of croquet after evening chores in the summer, a game of cards or time spent around a jigsaw puzzle in the winter, a whole day as a family to the beach after harvesting was over. These are very pleasant times in my memories of home.

Now Brian and I must work together to make home a good place for our children. First, we must see that they are physically cared for and then we must teach and show them how to live life. We must allow them a chance to experience God's presence in our home. We will need to demonstrate that it is good to work and that work can be made fun. Thoughtfulness of others doesn't come naturally either. That will require constant instruction as well.

What a challenge parenting is! However did you succeed with all six of us? I'm sure you were not conscious of the task all the time and that God provided the assistance constantly. Another blessing! We will count on Him to guide us too!

He has done an outstanding job already by giving me your example and letting us be His children. I have a very loving husband and He has given us the support of a church home around us and many Christian friends. He has blessed us with education, jobs, a pleasant place to live, all our physical needs and many luxuries besides. We even have a car to get around in, and we have been home several times in the last few years.

Boy, Mom and Dad, here I've sat. I started out by complaining, but after thinking a bit I sure do have a lot to be grateful for. I'm one over-privileged person!

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