Work – A Writer's Daughter

And the Oscar Goes To

I first heard about the animated film “Forevergreen” when a good friend posted that his son contributed to the making of a film nominated for an Academy Award. “Forevergreen” was a nominee in for “Best Animated Short Film” in this year’s Academy Awards. Later, I learned more about the film on my ‘go to’ news podcast, “The World and Everything In It,” through a news item (February 27 wng.org), followed by a full-length special feature with interviews.

“Forevergreen” is the creation of Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears. These two friends, both directors and guys who tell stories, teamed up on a concept of a story that pointed to the real redemptive story of the Bible, through Jesus Christ. Set in a forest, featuring an orphaned bear, the story exposes our spiritual need, and frequently our rejection of the Answer.

From the outset, the project was a labor of love, inspiration, ministry and sweat. The directors recruited a crew of over two hundred highly skilled volunteers, who had the passion and commitment to produce the film. Among the production crew was our friend’s son; a kid who grew up around our kids. He excelled in his teens in computer design. He majored in Film Studies in college, landed in California with a well-known studio, and has worked on several well-known animated movies. At one point, the studio assigned him to a film promoting ideas contrary to Biblical truth. He asked to be reassigned but instead he was furloughed. His career in animation continues successfully and he is listed as “Animation Lead” in the “Forevergreen” credits.

You can enjoy this film online or in an upcoming Roadside Attractions in theaters.

“Forevergreen” did not win the Oscar last night but what an honor, an achievement of the highest degree, to be a nominee, for excellence “in craft” as Engelhardt and Spears say, in concept, production and PR, music and … animation! Well done, Brendan and all the production crew! All of you demonstrated what it means to invest your talents for the Gospel.

Closing in Scripture is never the hard part in my writing. At church yesterday, we looked at 2 Timothy 2 v 21. Returning to the passage this morning, I realized how aptly it described the “Forevergreen” creative team: “… (those) will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”

Dressed for Success on the Produce Aisle

Recently returned from our trip across the pond, which will surely generate a blog post soon, I squeeze one of my favorite topics into the last days of September: work. September merges Labor Day, Back to School, and the close of the fiscal year for many organizations, so I return to the theme of our labors. Ideas about work, career, and calling have interested me since I entered the workforce after college. Occasionally I still ask, “What should I be when I grow up?”

The Wall Street Journal carried a career attire feature in late September too!

We interact with workers daily. At my local grocery store, I have observed the produce manager over the last couple of years. He stood out immediately as he always wears a dress shirt and necktie to stock and maintain the fruit and vegetable bins. Dressing up and keeping a groomed appearance express pride, not vanity. They show that one values a job and its responsibilities. In so many fields, including my own of education, workers dress down, go casual, looking less professional. This man respects his job and dresses to show it.

He also commits seriously to his responsibility. During a renovation of his corner of the store, he actively helped customers find items that had been moved from their previous locations. When I commented on the taste of a brand of blueberries, he offered a free replacement (which I declined). One day, I noticed him in an uncharacteristic golf shirt. He said he’d come in on his day off because his assistant had been fired. I don’t know if grocery retail is his lifetime work or a second career, but he clearly demonstrates the words of Scripture, “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” (Colossians 3 v 23) Whether he knows the Lord or not, the produce manager does his job with excellence and pride, for the good of Food Lion and its customers. He rests well at day’s end, assured of a job well done.

Here are three of my favorite books related to work and calling.

God talks about the value of work for material provision and personal satisfaction throughout the Bible. You might be retired from a job as I am, or you may not be employed for other reasons, but we are all doing something, working in some sense, for as long as we live. In fact, the Bible verse referenced above is directed to slaves working for a master! Earlier in the Colossians passage, a similar phrase, “do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,” refers to church ministries (Colossians 3 v 17). We can take pride in all that we do, doing things to the best of our ability, landing the attention and credit on the Lord Jesus.

Welcome 2023 and Welcome Back Blog

As we step across the threshold of 2023, I also throw out the welcome mat to my blog, again. I last wrote a post on this blog in November 2022 and shortly after that I discovered my blog was no longer functional. My administrator privileges were not available to me and eventually I could not even pull up the URL address and my six years of content were gone!

I began attempting restoration; I reached out to the hosting site and the blog software. They were not coming through with support. Friends and family offered to help but we kept hitting the same dead ends. I don’t have an affinity nor an aptitude for technology, so I was lost!

About two weeks ago, I found an IT specialist who works on these issues. He quickly got absorbed in my case and spent hours to determine the problem and fix it. I am not fully clear on what happened and how, but my blog was hacked into, my credentials were changed, and content was hidden. With the expertise of the IT specialist, the hosting and blog software sites put my blog back together. The IT guy charged me for only one hour of his many – but he got a 100% tip from me!

I have written a few posts during the time my blog was down. Some of you may have seen them on social media. Soon I will re-post them on “A Writer’s Daughter,” but I am not sure that I can back date them; they may show up all at once with a real-time date.

As always, I thank you for reading my blog. I enjoy your comments. I pray that the site will stay secure. Its restoration is a gift from God and an answer to prayer. For the time being, I will be able to keep that proverbial pen in my hand, along with my coffee cup. Here is a prayer for the New Year and for this blog: “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands.”

Psalm 90 v 17

Scripture is the Best Script

Not too long ago, I saw a live dramatized recitation of “Revelation” performed by Marquis Laughlin. From memory, Laughlin recited the entire Biblical book called Revelation, word for word. He used no props that I recall, but his inflections and voices, sound effects, physical motions and posturing presented a powerful rendition of God’s Word and only God’s Word! The theatrical performance of “Revelation” lasted about two hours, in two acts, but it was spellbinding throughout!

Marquis Laughlin delivers a theatrical rendition of Revelation. Learn more at actsoftheword.com

As part of the program, Laughlin shared some of his story and how he got into dramatic recitations of the Bible. Early in his life and career, Laughlin wanted to be an actor. He went to California to pursue an acting career. While in California, a faith in Jesus Christ was born in his life. He began to grow and mature in his new Christian faith. He wondered how his beliefs would impact his acting career. Eventually, Laughlin concluded “Scripture was the best script” and he began his work in theatrical performances of the Bible. His ministry, for over two decades now, is “Acts of the Word.”

Marquis Laughlin’s story illustrates the transformative power of the Gospel. Among other things, for him, it meant a shift in his career plans. As one deepens in true Christian faith, beliefs will permeate all aspects of one’s life. Social choices, finances, lifestyle, education, health issues and more are surrendered to God. With Laughlin’s career redirection, it could wrongly be assumed that all Christians must go into some kind of ministry work. This is not at all what I believe God requires. Instead, our faith infuses whatever career God leads us to! That is why there are great Christian chefs, electricians, scientists, artists, medical personnel, you name it! As my father once wrote in a pamphlet on careers, “Every human activity provides a way for your light to shine.”*

A few years ago, I had my Bible rebound. The result was beautiful; a treasure preserved.

“Scripture is the best script” reiterates the theme and place where I always like to land in “A Writer’s Daughter.” The Bible is the most useful textbook, manual, or script ever written. Read the script, study the textbook whenever you can, for every reason. I have added a new tab to my blog: “How to Read the Bible,” for those of you who may need direction with Bible reading.

*Kucharsky, David E. (1995) Where in the World Are You Going? [pamphlet]. Christian Publications, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

Labor Day is New Years

Did you labor on Labor Day? Most of us didn’t birth a baby today but many enjoyed a day off from the job. That’s how Americans typically celebrate work, by getting a holiday. Labor Day also marks an end to summer vacation season and begins fall activity. As a teacher, the Labor Day holiday will forever mean Back to School for me, a sort of New Years!

The last day of vacation season made a good first beach day for us!

Is work really something to celebrate? YES. God gave us work. First, He modeled work as He created the universe. Then He tasked His human creation with work, the work of cultivating God’s garden and subduing the rest of creation. (Read about these events in Genesis 1 and 2) But then the events of Genesis 3 unfold, and the perfect earth is corrupted. Work is corrupted too. Work doesn’t become bad, but it becomes difficult. Mankind will toil and sweat to get things done.

We live in life after Eden: our work results in challenge, challenge beyond the physical to mental and emotional challenge. Work is still good and a gift from God, but it is hard.

Americans have historically valued hard work, understanding that it supplies needed income and provides personal satisfaction. Jobs keep us busy and are a wise use of time keeping us away from activity that is unhealthy or dangerous. Overworking, greed, and other sins including lying or stealing, beset some workers but God’s ideal for work is inherently good, just as His work in creation was good.

Excuse the pun, but the American work ethic may be shifting. Most of us have experienced the worker shortage. Entry level work and beginner wages are questioned or rejected. I think there are misunderstandings about achievement and prosperity and how success is attained. As employees or business patrons, we can encourage workers to strive for success and promotion. We can acknowledge a job well done and tip generously. Dream jobs are just that but visualizing advancement through career planning and training can open doors ahead. Talking with young workers helps them dream real possibilities. The Bible says, “The worker deserves his wages.” (1 Timothy 5:18) The truth is two-fold: work must be done and wages must be paid. Happy Labor Day!

Even entry level jobs can provide further education. Way to go, McDonald’s!

So Long, FCPS

This is actually a Facebook post, but I am sharing it on my blog too:

So long, FCPS!

This is an unusual Labor Day for me. For most of my life, tomorrow was back-to-school for me as a student, parent of students, or as a teacher, but not this year. I recently retired from Fairfax County Public Schools as my husband and I prepare to move within the next year. Schools hold a special place in my heart. Education challenged, even stressed me at times, but I loved teaching. Amazing teachers and administrators, delightful students and kind parents enriched my work.

I began my elementary teaching career immediately after college, took a break from employment during our child-rearing years, and returned to public education in 2005 as an elementary ESOL teacher (English to Speakers of Other Languages). This past year, I took a one-year position as my “victory lap” only to end “limping to the finish line” as we were unexpectedly thrown into Distance Learning. It was huge and uncharted for all of us, kids and parents too, but we managed to “carry on” – a theme I had selected for myself prior to the pandemic.

So, good-bye FCPS! After 40 years around schools, I exit with fond memories and satisfaction. As I said, my colleagues were often outstanding and inspiring, and I wish all of you well. A Virginia Tech professor once called teachers, “the salt of the earth” and you are! Stay wise; you know what to do.

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 – Yes, He did!

Written by My Father

This summer, while sorting through papers with my parents, we came across a short devotional written by my father. It was published in a devotional periodical but inquiries to both Our Daily Bread and Guideposts confirmed that it was not their publications. Since we have the original page with a date, we know the piece appeared somewhere, yet I couldn’t determine its source.

As you may know from my blog bio, my father had a career in journalism, launching with a wire news service, then joining the staff of the newly founded Christianity Today, and eventually becoming the editor of Christian Herald magazine. His writing featured current events and issues mostly within the Protestant church, including magazine editorials. His style usually wasn’t homiletic, so the short piece quoted below is unique. I don’t know if the prayer and Thought for the Day were my dad’s or added by an editor.

Wednesday, December 1, 1976

Read John 1:43-51

Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? John 1:46

My wife and I were charmed by a visit to the village of Oberndorf, Austria. It was there that Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber first introduced what has come to be the world’s best-loved Christmas carol, “Silent Night.” The church organ was broken, so a guitar was used for accompaniment at the Christmas Eve Mass.

That was in 1818 when communications were such that the song could not be readily shared with the world. Yet it not only found its way out of that obscure place, but became the most renowned of all Christmas songs.

Jesus Himself came out of what from every worldly standard would be considered obscurity. God actually ordained that His Son take on humanity in that way, and then suffer an ignominious death so that all who trust Him might have forgiveness of sin.

Doesn’t this tell those of us who have trusted Him as Savior something important about our work for the Lord? Everything we do, no matter how humble the context, has a great potential if we do it well – as God ordained.

PRAYER: O God, help us to keep in mind that the quality of performance is so much more important that what we deem to be ideal circumstances. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Thought for the Day

The most humble became the most famous.

David E. Kucharsky (Arlington, Virginia)

I hesitate to add much commentary to this piece; his words speak for themselves. As he says, he always valued doing quality work, and that included work that was service, things done for Christ’s sake. Even recently my dad spoke to me about continuing to be useful and cognizant of what ministry God would have for him in this stage of his life. This Scripture was not quoted but it fits his intent: ²³Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, ²⁴since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV).

An epilogue to the fame of “Silent Night” is an event from World War I. During the war, an unofficial truce occurred on Christmas Eve 1914. That night enemy soldiers joined in singing “Silent Night.” The movie “Joyeux Noel” (2005) retells the story. The humble carol, composed because of an obscure church crisis, holds a world stage.

Some vintage piano sheet music similar to what I played as a child.

Morning at the Laundromat

This morning I am at a laundromat. It’s an annual chore that I enjoy. Bedspreads are too heavy for my home washing machine so once a year I trek over to a neighboring community to give the bed covers a thorough cleaning in large professional machines.

I love the bright atmosphere and fresh scent of this well-kept laundromat. It intrigues me to observe people as they complete the task of laundry together. Moms and sometimes Dad keep up the loading, transferring and folding. Kids find ways to entertain themselves. Today, two toddlers push around wheeled laundry carts. A teenager babysits her younger sibling in front of a too loud TV. The Spanish channel (any channel!) blaring is the only unpleasant part of this experience for me. As I entered, an older woman left in a taxi with her morning’s work all done. It is good to see how others do life in ways different than my own.

I thrive on task completion. Checking off a job or errand on my “to do” list feels satisfying to me. This chore signifies that summer is in full swing; winter is packed away for a while. I am grateful for a measurable accomplishment in a life season that seems to have many unknowns.

My good friend Robin designs in textiles, including the quilts pictured. When my daughter worked for her, I learned much about the qualities, care and beautiful possibilities of fabric!

I was surprised on Sunday when my Pastor mentioned being “clean” in his sermon. Of course he was referring to spiritual cleanliness, not the clean that comes after a shower or even being free from substance abuse. I don’t think modern American culture emphasizes feelings of shame or guilt much, even when they may be appropriate. Some cultures do value honor and use shame as a deterrent. My pastor’s use of the term, however, indicates that we are self-aware of an unworthiness in ourselves, a falling short. In fact, the definition of sin is missing the mark. We have a sense that we should be cleaner. Across time, mankind has attempted to achieve purity in order to reach God. But as my pastor pointed out, God doesn’t ask us to get cleaned up for Him. Instead He allowed Jesus to get dirty for us. The task on the cross is accomplished and we have only to access the fresh life He offers. “Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7 “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 1 John 1:9

As I leave the laundromat, a woman and her adult son enter with their laundry baskets. I hope they will enjoy working together today, sharing conversation, and maybe taking a break at the nearby McDonald’s or the Dollar General next door. Such treats I also enjoy.

Robin hand-dyes cloth to produce custom pieces. She possesses amazing creativity and skill which she now uses to bless a community of women in Uganda. Find out more at Gloryboundministry.org

Spring into Summer

This blog post is long overdue. Originally I planned to title it “Spring Makeover” but that is now outdated. My busyness a year ago at this time came as our two kids married within seven weeks of each other! This year I find that springtime still kept me hopping. In education, testing and the associated preparation and paperwork all happen in the second half of the school year. Personally, we have travelled a lot and celebrated most of the family birthdays and anniversaries in the past few months.

It’s not quite meteorological summer but with the end of the school year and hot temps, it is summertime! Many of us think ‘makeover’ after the winter months. We want to get healthy, brighten our look and spiff up the wardrobe! As I mentioned, a year ago our family experienced the back-to-back weddings of our son and daughter. This meant that within a very short period of time I was both Mother of the Groom and Mother of the Bride. Though I didn’t go to a royal beauty spa as Queen Esther of the Bible did, I experienced an untypically high number of beauty appointments during those wedding months.

Two local beauticians handle my normal routines. Both women are similar in age and background and each of them own their small beauty business. With repeated visits, some patterns have emerged. One of them regularly shares about business hardships, difficult customers, high rent bills and bad employees. I try to be understanding in my response but much of her concern is the nature of the service industry and dealing with the public. She works hard and her business is successful. I like supporting her small enterprise.

I had a costly, time-consuming manicure for a beautiful occasion.

The other shop owner radiates sweetness. She too is a very hard worker which has kept her in business alone for many years. As a single parent, she is proudly sending her son off to college. She’s always grateful for customers and she’s friendly with everyone in the building. In fact, I met her through my husband, whose office was directly across the hall from her salon. It is truly a treat, not just a beauty treatment, to patronize her business.

And then there is Annie at the Clinique counter. Unlike some of the other Vogue-like models at make-up counters, Annie is maturing but cute and down to earth. She gives helpful make-up advice and calls to remind me when there’s a sale, because make-up is expensive and rarely discounted in department stores. I notice that Annie’s customers come from all walks of life and many greet her with a hug. I too feel pampered and prettier after my infrequent splurges there.

These three ladies remind me that how we do our work matters. Most of us choose the work we do, paid or not. We can approach our work and our coworkers and clients with joy and gratitude, even when the work is hard, the hours are long, the pay is low and . . . the people! Only God’s touch will perfect us, but a ready smile and a heart of thankfulness will be a beautiful blessing to those around us.

Romans 12:2a, 11 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

Irish Carpenters

A couple of Saturdays ago, my husband headed out for his regular weekend errand to the hardware store. I reminded him that we were in search of replacement feet for a new couch. The couch, an on-line purchase, cost us very little but it needed nicer legs.

He returned finding none at the store but suggested that he could easily make some. Checking a pile in the shed, he located some wood scraps to use. “They’re black walnut,” he raved. He then sketched a drawing with measurements, making sure the size fit the wood and that I approved. The design seemed to ideally suit the sofa.

Within an hour, my husband cut and fit a prototype and then completed the other three. Wood stain and varnish were applied and he let the pieces dry. By afternoon the legs were ready to be attached but special screws were needed. He took care of that too and the little couch wore perfect new shoes!

The sofa looked amazingly better with shaped wooden legs than it had with the original black plastic knobs. Sitting on it was also surprisingly more comfortable with another inch or two of height. I smiled that my husband had so easily crafted the new legs, seeming to enjoy every step of the project.

My husband learned his wood-working skills from his Irish grandfather. As a boy and teen he spent many hours accompanying his grandfather on handyman jobs. Most of his grandfather’s contracts were for painting and carpentry. My husband gained valuable skills over those years and, like his grandfather, had natural aptitude and found pleasure in wood-working.

Wood-working skills run in my family too on the Irish side. Although my grandfather was in business and retail, his store eventually specialized in “fine furniture” so he and my uncles became experts in furniture design and wood types and finishes. Two of my cousins continue in the wood-working business and I think my brother has “the knack” too.

All skills have value but carpentry is particularly useful and creative. Building brings satisfying results to both the maker and the eventual user. Basically all work, a job well done, rewards the worker and benefits the recipient (see blog post “The Work of Your Hands” March 2, 2017)

Jesus probably spent about twenty years in a carpentry shop working alongside his earthly father Joseph (Matthew 13:55). Though he needed no human fulfillment he experienced the tension of a puzzling project and the contentment of a finished product. He also knew about cutting errors, deadlines and nasty customers. I imagine that Jesus built as attractive a piece as Joseph’s small shop could sustain. Jesus was a carpenter before he traveled and preached, taught, healed, and performed many miracles, and then was nailed to a roughly constructed wooden cross for our sake.

One last thought that occurs to me regarding the little couch is the big difference just new feet made. The simple sofa looked and felt so much better! It causes me to ask myself, what small changes should I make for a noticeable improvement, especially considering Jesus’ death for me? It’s a prayer worth asking. “So then, since Christ suffered … you will be anxious to do the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1a, 2b