Straight Paths Like A Tree Planted by The Rivers Of Water

Like A Tree Planted by The Rivers Of Water

Loren Hardin

The Ashland Beacon

            Flo enrolled in outpatient hospice services with terminal cancer when she was in her sixties. Flo was widowed, had no children, and lived alone. She was soft spoken and perhaps even a little shy. There was something mysterious and intriguing about Flo. Despite having a terminal illness, Flo appeared reconciled, at peace. 

            I had to know the secret of Flo’s apparent contentment. So, I asked, “Flo, what helps you cope so well with your illness? Is there anything special you do?”  Flo pondered for a moment and then replied, “I don’t know. I don’t do anything special.” Then suddenly, as if a light came on in her mind, Flo recounted: “On second thought there is something I do. I’ve read one chapter of the Bible every day for over twenty years. Then I write down the answer to five questions; what is God’s message to me; is there a promise to claim; Is there a command to keep; is there a principle or timeless example to follow; and what is my prayer?  

            Then Flo arose from her chair and said, “I’ll be right back”. When Flo returned, her thin arms were clutching a cardboard box filled with spiral notebooks. I estimated between twenty-five to thirty notebooks inside.  Then Flo pulled one out and read some samples of her daily reflections. It felt like I was on holy ground. As Flo read, I noticed a pattern. Flo began all her concluding prayers with, “Lord Jesus, thank you for a good night’s rest and for living to see another day.” 

            When I told Flo how impressed I was with the number of spiral notebooks she’d filled, she explained, “Oh, these aren’t all my notebooks. I have several other boxes full in the other room.” The source of Flo’s peace was no longer a mystery. For, as the prophet Isaiah declared, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You,” (Isiah 26:3). And Psalm 1 declares: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law, he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth it’s fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither and whatever he does shall prosper.” 

             Flo wasn’t a casual reader, she read the Bible to understand the heart, mind and will of God, and to apply it, to live by it. A.W Tozer, (1898-1963), American Christian pastor and author, wrote: “Theological knowledge is knowledge about God. While this is indispensable, it is not sufficient. It bears the same relation to man’s spiritual need as a well does to the need for his physical body. It is not the rock lined pit for which the thirsty traveler longs, but the sweet cool water that flows up from it. It is not intellectual knowledge about God that quenches man’s ancient heart-thirst, but the very Person and Presence of God Himself…. Christian truth is designed to lead us to God, not to serve as a substitute for God,” (Keys to the Deeper Life).

             “You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life,” (John 5:39-40). 

            Loren Hardin was a social worker with Southern Ohio Medical Center Hospice for twenty-nine years. He can be contacted at lorenhardin53@gmail.com or at 740.357.6091. You can purchase Loren’s book, “Straight Paths: Insights for living from those who have finished the course”, at Amazon and Barnes and Nobles.