Memorials

This is strictly my opinion, but one that has been in my thoughts for at least 10 years.

What is a memorial? I Googled that question and received this response:  "Something, especially a structure, established to remind people of a person or event."

We can drive to Washington D.C. and find the Washington Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the National WWII Memorial and the list goes on.  All these memorials remind us of people or events that have been important to our American history.

When I met my husband, Chip, he took me up to Trail's End Ranch near Ekalaka, MT and showed me his dad's memorial---the horse barn.  With the showing came many memories of how Bob Anderson from Trail's End Ranch had led so many of his family members to Christ--Bobby Dye being one of them.  It was only befitting for the Dye memorials to go to Trail's End Ranch.

When my dad passed away, we were excited when we reached a $1000 + in memorials.  Somehow, that showed to me that my dad was loved and that people loved us.  Dad's memorial went to Rainbow Bible Ranch for a new speaker system.  Even though I have not seen the speaker system, I know that my dad is remembered especially during camping season.



Leonard Dye's Memorial
The church he helped to build.

I could go on with Mom's memorial, Chip's mom's memorial and his brother David's memorial.  These are all special to us and each dollar that came in showed us how much people cared.

This past year one of my favorite pastors passed away.  I sent a memorial in his honor as I wanted his family to know how  much I appreciated him.

This past week a very dear friend and a WWII vet passed away.  His memorial will be in Tennessee and even though I will probably never see it, it is important to his family and to his friends.  The play ground set will give ample opportunity to reflect on this Godly man and for future generations to be ministered to.

I have been told that life is for the living, not for the dead.  That is true and memorials are given in honor of those who have passed on so that we the living can help others.

What is a memorial gift?  It is a sign of love, respect and honor for the individual who has passed and to the family members who are grieving.

What is a memorial?  "Something, especially a structure, established to remind people of a person or event."

Every penny counts when we are building a memorial for our loved ones.

Broken Cisterns

Be astonished, O heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid; be very desolate,” says the Lord.  “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:12-13)

A cistern is a deep hole dug in the ground which is used to store water. They are used when drinkable underground water cannot be found at a reasonable depth.   Before steel or plastic were invented, most cisterns were made of cement to prevent water loss from seepage.  One source of water for a cistern is rain. In periods of draught it is sometimes necessary to haul water to fill the cistern. 

Our cistern was built right next to the old ranch house in 1944.  After 70 years, the cement has cracked and been patched several times.  As the cistern stands now, there is a crack above ground level that allows water, when it reaches that height, to seep out unto the ground.  The seepage results in the cistern never being completely filled.

In the beginning we were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26a).  Adam and Eve walked and talked with God in the Garden of Eden.  God met all of their needs, but then Satan came along and deceived Eve into eating the forbidden fruit. Adam knew that it was wrong, but he also ate of the fruit.  That is when sin entered into the world.  Sin caused us to forsake God and we began to build our own cisterns—broken cisterns.    These are full of things that we think will make us happy.  Things like riches, more ranch land, beautiful clothes, prestige or great food.  Anything can become a broken cistern for us.

Just as the cistern on the ranch is never completely full, the broken cisterns we create in our lives leave us incomplete-not completely full or fulfilled.  There is an emptiness or incompleteness that can never be filled by us.  However, there is One who can fill our cistern and quench the thirst caused by the broken cistern.

 God created us to be thirsty or to desire a relationship with Him and a need for Him.  He told His disciples, “Without me you can do nothing.”  But we have two sins that keep us from that desired relationship.  Our first sin is that we have “forsaken Him” or have turned away from God the only real source of life.  Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father except through me.” 

Our second sin is that we seek satisfaction apart from God.  We look for happiness and peace in all the wrong places.  We think that material things will make us happy, when only God can fill our emptiness.

Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.  Knowing that God created us to thirst for righteousness, let us go to the Fountain of Living Water and drink deeply of all that He has for us. 

 Psalm 107:9 “For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.

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“If you feel the need for God in your life, that’s exactly how you are supposed to feel.  You were never intended to do life on your own (without Him).”   Dr. David Jeremiah

 

 

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God's Best

I have not shared the following poem since June of 2011.  "God's Best" has become my all time favorite poem.  Maybe that is because it was given to me during a difficult time in my life.  I was in my late twenties when I "finally" met a guy that I was truly interested in developing a relationship.  I had tons of guy friends, but not anyone I was serious about in a romantic way.  Then this guy broke up with me on the Monday following Memorial Day.  Even though I had prayed that if he wasn't the one God wanted for me, he would be the one to break it off,  I was devastated.  A friend of mine, gave me this poem.  I read it several times.  The second verse didn't make sense to me at all.  I thought about it for a full month before I realized what it meant.  Although this guy would have made a good husband, he was  "the better" not God's Best for me.  We really didn't have anything in common and our lifes' goals were different.

 

Then I met another guy.  He, too, wanted to ranch and he even lived in the same state that I wanted to live in.  Once again, he broke up with me the Monday after Memorial Day.  I couldn't understand why except we really didn't share the same goals.  In one sense I was willing to give up my dreams and goals for him while on the other hand I hoped that he wouldn't ask me to marry him because I didn't think that I could say yes.  He would have been "the better" not God's Best for me.

 

Then I met Chip.  He just happened to live in the very state that I said that I would never live in, but we had the same dreams, goals and interests. (I wouldn't see him on the Mondays after Memorial Day!)   I had found the reason the other two guys were not for me.  They were/are great guys, but they were not what God had planned for me.  Chip was/is God's Best for me.  I am so thankful that I didn't settle for "the better" and that I waited for "God's Best."

 

 

(Please read Life on the Ranch: Life Lessons I Learned on the Ranch to read my/our story.  It can be purchased through Amazon as a book or for your Kindle.)

God’s Best

God has His best things for the few

That dare to stand the test;

God has His second choice for those

Who will not have His best.

It is not always open ill

That risk the promised rest;

The Better often is the foe

That keeps us from the Best.

And others make the highest choice,

But when by trials pressed,

They shrink, they yield, they shun the cross,

And so they lose the best.

I want in this short life of mine,

As much as can be pressed

Of service true for God and man;

Help me to be my best.

Give me O Lord thy highest choice’

Let others take the rest,

Their good things have no charm for me,

For I have got thy Best.

Author Unknown

 

Follow the Leader

Today I was reminded of my childhood.

I remembered when I was in first and second grade under the instruction of Mrs. Antrom.  She would come out on the playground at recess and played "Follow the Leader" with us.  Of course, she was the leader.  She walked all over the Terraville playground, jumped over swings and slid  down the slide and each student followed her.  There were times that she would get so far ahead of the last student that she would have to stop and wait for them to catch up.  Then there were times that she would weave her way through the line of students.  Everything went well unless one of the students made a wrong move and then part of the line would have a new "leader."

Today Chip and I went out to rake and bale hay.  He baled right behind me as I raked.  Wow!  I was the leader and he did an excellent job of following me.  There was one time that the baler was acting up and since it was in my way, I had to wait for him to work things out.  Then I got a few rows a head of him and he started to do his own thing.  It worked out as we both finished in the same spot.

As a teacher, I think of students and how they play "Follow the Leader" in class.  Some will choose to make good choices and follow others who make right choices.  Then there are those who choose to make wrong choices and they follow a whole different leader.  I think we call it  peer pressure. 

I still see it happening in adults.  At a parade we tend to look around us and see if anyone is going to stand and salute the flag as it goes by.  It can be a lonely feeling when no one else does what is right.  (Thanks to my cousin in Hawaii who did just that.)
  
I am thankful for Christian parents who taught me to follow the Leader---Jesus Christ.  There are those who have chosen to despise the Bible  and its teachings. They have chosen to follow a different leader.

Joshua 24:15  (KJV)

  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

 

The Best Friend

In 1972 I asked Swan to write a poem for me to enclose in a graduation card.

Tonight I would like to dedicate "The Best Friend" to the author of that poem---- Swan Loften.

The Best Friend

The world is full of friends so good and true,
They try to help each other in everything they do.
Kindness costs so little, love is given free.
You're a very special friend whose smile means much to me.
I met a friend in years gone by, His love I can't explain.
I know that you have met Him too; Christ Jesus is his name
He is a man of sorrows; He always seems to care,
His name is sweet as music, his love none can compare.
And that's the very reason you mean so much to me
Because when we're together, the love of God I see.
                                                           (Swan Loften)

I have many fond memories of Swan, but will only share a few.  I remember as a teen going hunting with Swan and Dad in Swan's Volkswagen Bug.  I sat in the back seat with Swan and Dad in the front seats.  They did get a deer and Swan did bring it home on the back of that little car.

Then there was the time that Dad had heart surgery.  Swan came out to the house many times and he and I cut and chopped wood for winter fuel. We had lots of conversations   He helped haul alfalfa from Spearfish to the "farm" so that the goats would have plenty to eat. He was always helpful.

Lastly, I remember Swan as a very friendly person that always talked about his Best Friend, the one that "sticks closer than a brother".  (Proverbs 18:24  A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.)  When Swan accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior so many years ago, there was much rejoicing in Heaven.  Today as we grieve at the physical death of a dear friend , there once again is much rejoicing in Heaven as Swan entered his Heavenly home.

 

THE VALUE OF A FRIEND

Who needs friends anyway?” we shout as our best friend stomps away angrily.  As if that isn’t bad enough, we decide to add, “You’re a big baby.”

We all need friends.  We need to know what a friend is and who can be a friend.  We need to be a friend.

Who needs friends?  We do!  A story is told of a new baby who had to stay in the hospital for three months.  This baby didn’t know or feel the love of her parents.  She was twenty-three years old before she believed that they loved her.  Even a baby of three months needs friends and love.

A child leaves home for his first day of school afraid of the unknown, wondering who will be in his class.  That first day determines whether there will be enough friends to go around.  It is a shame that we cannot learn to be a friend to everyone.

What is a friend?  A friend is someone who likes what you are.  He or she knows your good side and your bad side.  This friend loves you regardless of your moods.

A friend is someone who gives a soft and gentle answer.  He or she are patient when we are acting ugly and grumpy.  Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Why do we answer an angry friend with anger?  Is it because we are defending ourselves?  Do we protect ourselves against angry words by returning such words?  If we could remember the Golden Rule and “Do unto others as we would have them do unto us,” we would have many more friends.

Who can be a friend?  Everyone can.  We tend to become what our classmates or peers think we are.  If we are constantly told that we are dumb, ugly or unkind, that is what we will think we are.

There was a student who was kind and gentle.  He worked very hard in school and got good grades.  But he had two problems.  He didn’t have a lot of money and he was adopted.  The other students called him names and laughed at him.  This child took on a defensive attitude, became angry and then would not play with anyone.  Stop!  Think!  Would you want to be this child?  Would you want to be treated as he was?

Who can be a friend?  You can!  Be a friend to everyone---to the rich, to the poor, to the “A” student and to the child who is struggling for a “D”.  Be kind to each and every one.  You will be a better person because of it and you will help others to become better people.

A good example of friendship was David and Jonathan.  Jonathan was the prince, the next king of Israel.  David was God’s choice to be the next king.  Jonathan knew that David was going to have his job, but he loved David so much he did all that he could to help David.  Jonathan showed us the value as well as the price of true friendship.

We all can be friends by treating others as we would like to be treated, by being kind and not getting angry and defensive.  Give yourself a beautiful gift…..give yourself a friend!

(Written by Drusilla Peterson Dye August 1991)

 

 

 

The Lost Pony

 

“Sue, wake up!” called Rick, “We need to get our chores done early today.  Dad says there is a bad hailstorm forecast for late this morning.”

“All right, all right, I’m awake,” I groaned.  “I’ll take care of Star first and then help you with the cattle and chickens.”

I quickly jumped out of bed, got dressed and ran to the barn.  I picked up a can of feed by the door and dashed to Star’s stall.  He was not there!  I looked again as I called for my horse.  How could a colt vanish into thin air?

Rick must have taken him out for a run, I thought.  I flew to the door yelling for Rick.

“Rick, Rick, R I C K, where is Star?  He isn’t in his stall.”

I could see instant concern written all over Rick’s face. The disappearance of our year-old colt sent chills through both of us.  We had spent our entire savings to buy Star.  He was to become our rodeo pony who would eventually put Rick and me through college.

We looked up at the bright blue sky above our South Dakota farm.  We had learned at an early age that a blue sky could change quickly into a black thunderstorm with damaging hail.  We also knew that Star was too young to protect himself.

Dad had driven Mom in to see Aunt Mary that morning and would not be back until afternoon.  We could not wait for them.  We must act now!

I yelled for Duke, our big German shepherd and faithful farm dog.  Duke sensed the fear in my voice and raced to me instantly.  I told him our concern and sent him on the trail of our lost pony.

Up into the beautiful forest of the Black Hills we ran.  Rick and I had climbed this hill many times, but now was different.

“Rick”,  I panted, “Where do you think he could be?”

“Cheer up, Sis! We’ll be all right.  We’ll find him and be home in time for my own special out-of-the-can chili.”

“But Rick”,  I cried, “What if Star found his way into that old cave up on Bald Mountain?  He’ll never find his way out of that.”

“Sis!” Rick stopped running and took both my hands in his. “We can’t let our worries get in the way of our search.  Stop crying! Duke will find Star.  Then we’ll decide if we need to worry.”

Brothers! I thought.  How can he be so calm at a time like this?  But I knew that I loved and admired him for that calmness.

Just then I heard a bark.  Duke sounded pretty excited. He must have found Star.  I hoped so, as the blue sky was beginning to turn grey.  It wouldn’t be long before the rain would fall and then the hail.

We dashed up the small incline and spotted Duke nipping at Star’s heels.

Star was fine.  He had simply wandered off.  Now there was another problem to worry about.  It was beginning to rain and the sky was very dark.  We had to find shelter.

The cave!  We had to make it there.  Rick slipped the halter on Star and we dashed to the mouth of that big, cold cave that I feared so much.

We stepped into the cave as the first hailstone fell.  We quietly stood and watched as the hailstones became larger.  Then, as only a brother and sister can do, we talked quietly about the dreams and fears we had in life.

Twenty minutes later the storm was over, the sun was shining brightly and we were on our way home.

At twelve O’clock sharp we sat down to eat Rick’s own special out-of-the-can chili, rejoicing that our dreams could still come true and also knowing that Star was eating his own lunch in his stall.

(This story was written for my first assignment at The Institute of Children's Literature in 1990.)