This time each year our family has a flurry of birthdays. Macy turned a big 5 this week; my mom celebrated her 88th birthday on Mother’s Day; and my brother Delane turned 60 on April 30th.
I guess I should finally admit Delane was the best athlete in the family. He won many honors in the city as a high school football player, but when age 60 arrives, you’ve got to find other passions. For several years Delane has written poetry. He usually just shares his poems with loved ones, but recently he self-published a second collection.
Of course our mother thinks he is another Robert Frost, just like she thinks I am another C. S. Lewis. We both try not to let her praises go to our heads, but it is hard.
For almost four decades Delane has worked with teenagers and young adults who struggle with mental illness. He knows the huge needs families face and the challenges in our society to provide help. I am proud of his life and the way He points to God as our true Helper.
Here’s a recent poem entitled: ‘I Used To’:
I used to get up early,
And go to my favorite spot,
With my trusty rod and reel,
With hopes of catching a lot.An old man with gray hair,
Who fished on the nearby dock,
Would calmly field my questions,
And say, ‘Cast over by that rock.’‘Patience is very important,’
Was his advice most days,
‘Not only in fishing but in life,’
He would wisely say.I am the old man now,
With years of fishing past,
Passing on that same advice,
To youngsters as they cast.You will catch more fish,
If you wait on them to bite,
And better handle problems,
Being patient throughout your life.Pray that God will give you patience,
And He will graciously supply,
All that you faithfully ask,
On that you can rely.
“My child, if you take My words to heart,
if you set store by My commandments,
tuning your ear to wisdom,
tuning your heart to understanding,
yes, if your plea is for clear perception,
if you cry out for understanding,
if you look for it as though for silver,
search for it as though for buried treasure,
then you will understand what the fear of the Lord is,
and discover the knowledge of God.
For the Lord Himself is giver of wisdom,
from His mouth issue knowledge and understanding.”
Proverbs 2:1-6