Friday, March 20, 2015
"For I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on our offspring and My blessing on your descendants and they will spring up like grass like poplars by streams of water." (Isa. 44:3-4). "Behold, Children are a gift from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward....How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them" (Psa. 127: 3, 5).
Hey
Gang: How many know we need a crash course, across our land, on these two
verses. At least among all who are getting hitched. Those who know
me, know I have spent most of my life working with youth who are struggling
with the ‘empty cavity syndrome’; this often could be filled with the mom or dad
who implicated ‘caring for you is just too much of a hassle and restricts my
freedoms.’
When I
graduated from college, I fully intended on continuing my education in
California to prepare for a career in criminology. I do not have a clue
why I choose that field because I am totally ill equipped to work in any field
that requires understanding in science and physics. God knew that.
He knew my DNA was far better equipped to work on the other side of criminology
called "Throwing out a life line to kids that were
floundering."
With
four youngsters under the age of six, I had no choice- I had to get a job and
get it fast. It did not appear that I was going to be able to attend
college until I salted away enough bread to pay the bills, so I was seeking
something that was within my ability level and could gain understanding of how
to work with the kids of the "system". That led me to a
Juvenile Detention Center that just happened to be looking for someone who
could start - that day!
They
were very kind and assured me I would receive training before being throw to
the wolves. So, they scheduled me for an observation shift that night and
gave me all the tools I would need - a set of keys! I could fill ten or
twelve morning messages with my first experiences as a counselor in a detention
center, in the hard-core section. Here one had to be a class-one felon to
gain entry. There is no question in my mind this was where God wanted to train
me in the finer points of 'throwing out life-lines’.
When I
walked in the section the next day, having completed my required training
program the previous night, I was confronted by fifty hostile young men who
were not fond of counselors and were quick to let me know it. I knew, if
God placed me there, He would provide a safety net for me. Very early in
my first shift God put words in my mouth that would provide the basis for the
education that was to follow. Two fairly good-sized lads from different gangs
decided they did not like each other and were demonstrating their distain by
beating on each other.
Now, as
I think back, I must admit I do not have a clue why I did what I did. I
stepped between the two lads and suggested there might be a less painful way to
resolve what was bugging them! One of the lads said, "Whatcha gunna
do man?” Good question. I did not have a clue what I was ‘gunna do,
man!’
Now, I
also do not have a clue where my response to that question came from. I said,
"I don't have a clue what I am ‘gunna do’ because you have not yet taught
me what I should do that will help you fix your life and get out of here.
As I recall, I am not sure who was more shocked, my co-worker, the kids or
yours truly.
Soooo,
To make the very long story very short - THEY DID. The fight stopped and
we pow-wowed for an hour or so, in which most of the other young men entered
into the discussion and my education was begun.
The
year I retired from Eagle Village I was awarded an Honorary Doctors Degree from
Ferris State University. It was an award I accepted for all the people
who have given time and talents to help the many kids who have found hope and
success at the Village throughout the years. But I really received my
‘Ph.D’ in experience in a detention home in California, taught by a bunch of
kids that by world standards were "weeds".
Blessings.
Gramps
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