They lived in hardship and squalor, and sometimes they died in a hostile wilderness, alone and afraid… They accepted it, most of them, and never turned back… They were people of ambition and nerve, and hunger.”
–Elmer Kelton (Eyes of the Hawk)
“You have made a wide [trail] for my feet to keep them from slipping.”
–Psalm 18:36 (NLT)
Another six inches of snow had fallen overnight. It sure is pretty, except when it starts to melt or the horses and mules have their way in it in the street. Sure can get messy. But this morning when I walked to the Wells Fargo office the streets were bare except for the wagon tracks. It was cold; glad I wasn’t riding the top of one of those stages.
I entered the office and Emerson Watson was behind the counter. As I entered I saw him reach for what I assumed was a gun on the counter, and when he saw me he relaxed.
“Morning Mr. Forrest,” he said. “Coffee’s on the stove.”
Where he got that “Mr. Forrest” from I don’t know. Emerson had been going over the inventory of what was taken in the robbery. Some gold, the deposits from a host of local miners; he’d been working alone since the robbery. We had trimmed the open hours back to fives hours per day, and a six-day week. The telegraph from Denver said that they would send someone up to replace Tom and Jim.
I had been going to the office a couple of times a day just to help ease Emerson’s mind and to make my presence seen.
“Mr. Forrest,” started in Emerson as I was pouring a cup of coffee. “Why wasn’t I working that day? Why wasn’t I killed instead of Jim or Tom? Tom has a family, what will they do now?”
He was quite distraught. “There’s no easy answer. But I learned a long time ago not to question the ways of Providence. When God says it’s time there’s no palaverin’ with Him.”
“Just don’t seem right. Not that I’m complaining that I’m alive, but still.”
“Emerson, this world is evil, and nobody said that things in it would be fair. We could go on and on, why them, not me; why this, not that, and on we can go. Sure there are things at times we can do to help ourselves and others, but there are those times when there ain’t an answer.”
I took a couple of sips of coffee, topped off the cup and went back to the inner office. I knew what Emerson was going through. Throughout my lifetime I had thoughts like that. Perhaps the greatest gift or grace the Lord had given me through the years was that no matter what I could trust Him. The heat hadn’t reached back here much so I draped my sheepskin coat around my shoulders.
There were voices in the main office. I went to the door to sort of eavesdrop.
“When we gettin’ our money back?” came a rough voice.
“And you are?” asked Emerson.
“I’m Vickers and this fellow is Hardy. We had gold in this bank. We want it.”
I looked through the door. Emerson was calm. “Mr. Vickers, Mr. Hardy, Wells Fargo is investigating the robbery. Until then all assets are frozen. We cannot refund anything until we recover the stolen goods or Wells Fargo deems it proper to pay. But give me a minute, I’ll check your account.”
“You’ll pay now or you’ll be sittin’ in that chair cut like that other fellow.”
Emerson grabbed the gun on the counter, cocked it and pointed it at Vickers. The other man, Hardy, started to pull his pistol when I came out the door with mine drawn.
“It clears your holster, and you’re dead!” I said.
“Have a seat over there,” and I pointed with my gun. “Hold them, Emerson while I fetch the marshal.”
I started out the door and I saw a flash from the corner. I dodged a bullet that hit the doorframe and I fell to the floor just inside. Action was taking place, Vickers and Hardy decided to take a chance. There was a shot from Emerson. I turned and saw Vickers fire into the floor as he fell head forward. Hardy wanted to get in the action, I could see it, but there was now two pistols trained on him.
“Drop it now!” I ordered. His gun thudded to the wooden floor.
I looked at Emerson. “Why Vickers and not Hardy?”
Fear was not a thing of which to be ashamed unless a man let fear conquer him. Fear could be a spur to action and a safeguard against carelessness.”
–Louis L’Amour (Shalako)
“The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my [trail].”
–Psalm 18:5 (NLT)
To raise a child without shame is to raise one with no immune system against evil…. To remove shame is to perpetuate evil even toward the ones we love.”
–Ravi Zacharias
“Our safety is in having lofty ideals, and in constant labor to secure their realization. Let the getting of money be a man’s ideal, and he will of necessity grow toward the dust; let a man hunger and thirst after the kingdom of God, and he will grow into strength and enjoy an unspeakable peace.”
–Joseph Parker
One thing a person learns very quickly if they are being properly trained is that there are consequences for mistakes. The time to begin to teach this is when raising children; the consequences are not nearly so severe. As one gains age, seemingly the consequences of their actions become more acute and harsh.
Parents, for some reason, want to protect their children from the reality of life. Now some of that is understandable, but most of the time it is because they do not want to be embarrassed. Most of the time when I have met with parents over the thirty-nine years of my teaching experience there came forth excuse or blame. The purpose of conferences was to help the child, find a solution, find a reason for the action or behavior.
If parents, really if all of us, truly sought the kingdom of God many problems would be solved. What did Jesus mean when He said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6, NASB)? We get too caught up with the drive for success, or the trophies and ribbons, or the honor roll, or standing ovations and the accolades that we forget the spiritual aspect. What do these things have to do with the kingdom of God?
Too often we seek the things of the world. We seek false success and pseudo fame. Are we giving our souls and that of our family over to the world simply because we do not seek after righteousness. In fact, most of the time the cry goes out “legalism” when one begins to talk of living a righteous life.
Let this year, 2017, be one where the kingdom of God is sought. Let us seek after righteousness and put aside worldly affections. What is honorable not what is expedient. What brings glory to God not what can I get out of it. Seek ye first….
“But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.”
–Matthew 6:33 (AMP)