Peace In An Upside Down World

There is a young lady in our church group in Can Tho named Tuyen. She's not a Christian but she's been there consistently over the past several years. I've taken her as extremely shy but that could just be the language barrier. Hai, our preacher, said her sister used to come as well but dropped out a while back. There are youngsters I've become very close to during my month long missions- she isn't in that category. But something changed this summer. Actually, several things changed. The first happened when we went on the annual field trip sponsored by the Connor English Centers, which were started by our members. There was a nominal fee, about $13 US, to be able to go and many of our church kids could not afford. We paid the cost for twenty, of which Tuyen was one. I saw the way she handled herself on the ropes course and the rock climbing wall, two activities which most of the kids shied away from. Even when things were difficult, Tuyen kept going. The second thing I really noticed about her is how good she is with little ones. She took care of a brother and sister who are about ten and eight when we went to the movies and watched over two little girls when we took the church out to eat. She even got little Nhi to talk to her and I've never seen her talk to anyone! Using Hai as a translator, I took several minutes to tell her how impressed I had been with her demeanor, attitude, and perseverance. Although I speak no Vietnamese, I could tell she was touched that someone took notice of the way she carried herself and not just noticed, but verbalized it. It was a good lesson for me that I  need to do more of that kind of thing.

The day I left, she gave me a beautiful painting, the one you see above. I take it she did the artwork herself. She told me through whoever was translating that she had written me a letter on the back of the picture but I had to promise not to read it until I returned home. I kept my promise. When I read it, I found gracious words in beautiful script, thanking me for being kind to her. Of course, I was very appreciative, especially knowing how hard it is for someone to pen a meaningful note in a foreign language. It's up on my classroom Vietnam bulletin board with a number of other pieces of my Can Tho history. It's a beautiful touch.

Here's something I didn't notice at first glance or at least I don't recall that I did. Did you notice that the word Peaceful is upside down in relation to the picture? I wasn't quite sure which way to hang it but decided on
 the angle where Peaceful is readable. I'm not sure why she did that. Perhaps it was a mistake of simply copying the translated word upside down or maybe she got started and realizing the mistake, decided to keep going. Or maybe there's third option. Maybe she did it on purpose! That's what I like to think. Makes sense, doesn't it? Isn't true peace the gift of being at rest no matter if your world is upside down? That's what I've always gleaned from Edward Bickersteth's beloved one hundred forty year old hymn, Peace,Perfect Peace, where each question is answered with the assurance of having a heavenly savior:

1. Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
   The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.
2. Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
   To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.
3. Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
   On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found.
4. Peace, perfect peace, ’mid suffering’s sharpest throes?
   The sympathy of Jesus breathes repose.
5. Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away?
   In Jesus’ keeping we are safe, and they.
6. Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
   Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.
7. Peace, perfect peace, death shad’wing us and ours?
   Jesus has vanquished death and all its pow’rs.
8. It is enough: earth’s struggles soon shall cease,
   And Jesus calls us to Heav’n’s perfect peace.

Our world is often turned on its head. or at least away from the direction we believe it should be tilted. Jesus reminded us that we would have troubles on earth. Our sometimes comical lives bear out the timeless validity of  His two thousand year old prophecy. I'm positive Tuyen did not h ave that teaching in mind in her gift but she reinforced it to me by turning the scene 180 degrees.  In the 1960's, shortly before his untimely death, Richard Farina penned a book entitled, Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up To Me. That could be the story line of all our lives at least in segments. But as believers, we have serenity in knowing the outcome is certain, no matter the momentary particulars of our reality here below. So, Tuyen's art has a permanent placement in Room 258, right where I can see it from my teaching perch. On some days, I need the gentle nudge to keep my life right side up.

Applicable quote of the day:
"I have learned that there is much peace to be found in accepting that a Higher Power with greater plans for our lives than we can ever fathom." 
Julie Donner Andersen

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1
E-mail me at shawley@westburychristian.org