Letter to grandson,
Shannon Douglas Hayes.
Shannon,
Dear Grandson,
In longing for your giant self lies your goodness and that of most people ... but in some, longing is a torrent rushing with might to the sea, carrying the secrets of the hillsides and the songs of the forest. It sweeps away top soil, gold dust (the preacher's good seed) and the love of God. In others it is a flat stream that loses itself in angles and bends ... and lingers in swamps before it reaches the sea. But let not him who is swift say to him who is slow, "Why are you so slow and halting?"
For the truly good ask not the naked, "Where are your long sleeves?" Nor does he ask the homeless, "What is wrong?" He does not ask the uncouth, "Where on the street did your mother get the likes of you?!"
Pity the horse can not teach swiftness to the turtle ... For what is evil but good trapped and tortured by its own hunger and thirst? Surely the ungodly are ever empty and void of happiness. Sometimes we call it envy.
Of the good in you I can speak, for I have enjoyed you behind your father's pulpit and at the piano where your mother usually ministers. You do well.
You are good when you walk in your ministry firmly and with bold steps, yet you are not evil when you go there limping ... as now under this burden.
Even those who limp go not backward. I will not ask you, "What did hinder you?" For would I ask the bird with a broken wing, "Couldn't you see the guyline?!" Who will pray for the lost and undone? I can hear the laughter of your future children because you cared to pursue your education. Isn't remorse what the law administers to hardened criminals?
Surely the fruit cannot say to the root, "Be like me ... sweet, ripe and ever giving." For the fruit (the apple of God's eye), giving is a need ... as receiving from the heart of the earth is a need to the root of the tree.
Let your ministry be your top priority, Shannon, and let your principal know that you are remorseful already.
The unworthy get attention by slinging mud. Do not be instrumental. Do not let them use you ever again.
You are good in countless ways, and you are not evil when you are not good. You are only a fifteen year old mind trying to solve a problem. There are wars, forever, where older men can not find answers. Every grownup does not have the right answer ... nor do we.
Next time take the problem to the counselor, if your school has one. In an army camp we had a ring and a referee.
In school they have different ways of solving problems. It is their job and they need your help to keep the school nice, decent, and sociable. You have a great ministry, for your age, and you could be invaluable to the school ... because you are not afraid to finger the troublemakers. It is your school, your future, and your reputation. Don't let words pull you into the mire.
Re: "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." The carnal mind will not, "neither indeed can it." "Put on the mind of Christ!" You, of all men, know how. I am in your corner.
From what I hear, the seventeen year olds there have the charisma of a speedbump. That is their problem.
In time you will learn that peace is actually a weapon.
It gives the law, the school, and God the authority to protect your rights. And, indeed, your confidence in the school system declared that you are not falling for the lure again. Winning a fight is not worth your dignity, your freedom, nor your education. Consider all this.
As for my health, all I know for sure is that I am trusting a merciful God and he cares for me.
Lovingly,
Grandpaw E.Cirilo
P.S.
You have a machine, please send me a copy of this letter for my books of many letters ... which I hope will survive me for our great grandchildren.
For nothing that I learn or write is mine and mine alone. The musings of grandparent's heart, a heart just like your own ...
Eph. 5:8-13
And do not participate in the unfruitful
deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them.
by Eleazar Cirilo, 28 Sep 1993
All works here, Copyright © Lotus D. Cirilo, 1999
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