Close Enough To See

After supper my grandson Clifford was sitting at the dinning room table. He had his books open and was busy doing his homework. When he came from school he had told me that he couldn’t go do a “Grandpa and Clifford” special thing because – “I have tons of homework Grandpa. Sorry.” If I am doing a ‘work something’, Clifford always loves to go along. But yesterday he was busy with tons of homework.

Yesterday I was helping my son-in-law prepare the roof for some new shingles. It was hot and the two layers of shingles fought us all the way to the trailer below.

Earlier, after School, Clifford came up on the roof where his dad and I were working taking the shingles off. He immediately grabbed a hammer and began pulling nails from the roof. This guy is something else. He loves working. At twelve – he loves working! He looked up at me as I walked by with a load of shingles. His statement made this grandpa swell with a wee bit of pride…”Grandpa, I love doing this kind of work!” I can’t tell you what this meant to me. In this one simple statement he had declared his future – he is not afraid of work – in fact he loves to work.

Come back to the dinning room table. Clifford looked up from his homework and grinned. He had a large French book open and was searching for meanings in his stout dictionary.

His dad had explained to me that Clifford loves his new school, a Junior High School. Now in grade seven, he has turned his back on his first six years of school with all the little kids – now he is attending a high school where everyone is bigger and almost adult. When his mom had explained that she had booked a doctor’s appointment for him during school his statement was, “Not during school Mom! I can’t miss school!”

I sat with Clifford at the dinning room table and looked with pride at my first grandson. Here he is at 12 years old. Already he is bi-lingual – with French and English. He loves school and loves to do physical work. He dives into homework and gets it done. He loves sports too.

I interrupted the revere and said to him, “Clifford, I know that you love school. If you continue to work at this the way you are – someday you may get a scholarship.” Then we talked about what that could mean to him as he attends university and moves on into further academia. A scholarship could mean big things for his future. As I left the table, he said to me, “Grandpa, I love this work too.” – then he looked down at his stout dictionary.

A Sharp Contrast…
Three doors down from Clifford is his friend “C”. They have been in the same school together for all of these early grades. They have grown together as friends. Last year his friend lost his father. His dad died of cancer leaving his two young children and his wife. The tragedy struck this family hard.

“C” was already struggling through grade six. His dad’s death made it even worse. His mom was struggling also – with her husband’s long time of sickness and many treatments. Suddenly the new reality came for her and she was alone. An older car sits in the driveway that is not licensed. She doesn’t drive anyway. Her son is struggling and so is she.

“C” normally walked to school with Clifford all last year. This year in grade seven was to be their new time together walking to the new school. Clifford was excited.

Already by the second week of school “C” has skipped most of his days. He stays home to play video games instead of trudging off with Clifford. One morning when Clifford knocked on “C’s” door to see if he was coming, “C’s” little sister answered the door and told Clifford that, ““C” is not going to school today. He is playing Monopoly with mom.” Clifford walked on alone. Later he told his dad and mom his discomfort with what is happening to “C”.

In one of the few Math Classes that “C” had attended, “C” had slammed his books shut and shouted, “I hate Math! I am never going to be a Mathematician! This is stupid.”

“C’s” present failures have bothered Clifford deeply – but it has not stopped Clifford being his friend.

Reflection…
In my role as a pastor I see it all. I see success and I see horrible failures. I work with each kind of person along their personal journey. The work of a pastor is kind of like a ‘life coach’ I guess. I cheer everyone on to greater things.

Yesterday I met with a well off 72 year old man that I have been building a friendship with. He is not a church-goer at all. He has a very busy and full life that is basically all about himself and what he likes to do. Yet as we connected – I was able to encourage him with some words and practical help in an area that he is insecure.

Yesterday I worked alongside of a 50 year old man, an ex-Offender, that cannot read. At birth he was placed in an orphanage. He came out of that orphanage after many years of abuse by staff and many of the other students. He had been rapped by staff and fellow students. When my son-in-law told of Clifford and his willingness to study, the 50 year old shared his own story. He studied until the middle of grade two – and then quit.

There is no better worker than this 50 year old. I would hire him in a heart beat. However he will never likely get a job as he has been in prison many years. With his record now…few people will hire him. He can’t read or write. He is all alone. But he is an amazing worker.

Then I look back at Clifford with his tons of homework. He is excited about life now, encouraged by school and ready for a future.

I am so thankful that I am close enough to see it all happen.

Yesterday I encouraged three people. I can’t wait for what today may offer.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~