What do puppies, pizza, Tom Hanks, and summertime have in common? Everybody loves them. Those three warm months of flip flops, swimming pools, Cedar Point trips, beach vacations, and, of course, NO SCHOOL, puts some pep in everyone’s step.
The lesser seasons still have their own adoring fans. Each Autumn, Thousands flock to rural areas like Tuscarawas and Holmes County to see Mother Nature’s vibrant art show of changing leaves. And Winter not only has the breathtaking beauty of a pure white snowfall, but also the trump card of the Christmas season.
But for me, Spring has always been my favorite time of year. I probably inherited this passion from my father. At winter’s first absence, we would dust off our baseball gloves and play catch in the side yard. The radio seemed to be always tuned in to Herb Score’s narration of the Indians’ daily ballpark battles.
Spring’s true allure for both of us, though, is watching Nature awaken from her long winter hibernation. Moments like that first morning of hearing the birds singing. The smell of fresh cut, lush green grass. Brilliant yellow daffodils and red tulips swaying in the wind. The sweet smelling fragrances of tree blossoms. My father always savored nature’s re-birth from the deadness of winter.
His ultimate spring sports highlight was not Tribe games, the NBA playoffs, or March Madness. Each April, he would turn on CBS, adjust the color and contrast knobs a little on the television, and watch The Masters golf tournament. While he enjoyed watching golf’s greatest battle for a major championship, he loved the beautiful display of nature that Augusta National Golf Club meticulously creates.
Nowadays, I find myself relishing many of these same wonders of nature. As April gives way to May each year, I lead a variation of ‘I Spy’ while driving the streets of Dover with my three kids. Instead barking ‘slug bug’ at the sight of a Volkswagen Beetle, we call out the many various colors of Azalea bushes fronting the houses. And let me say, Dover’s phenomenal Azalea population can stand toe-to-toe with Augusta’s finest.
Spring also has a special place in my heart because nature’s re-birth also symbolizes the true reason for the Easter season. This holiday is when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, three days after his crucifixion on the cross. For some, this story is the basis for their lives, while for others, it is a myth placed on a book shelf along with Zeus and Paul Bunyan.
The world today seems to emphasize one thing: ME. As in, “What can I do to benefit ME?” We need to get a better phone, a better job, a better car, a better house. Teens need to have the popular shoes, popular clothes, popular friends, popular music. Athletes at most every level need to have the right shoes, the right equipment with the right logo, and jump to the right team–the team that wins more. Reality shows have exploded on the television landscape as individuals do whatever they can to showcase and market themselves.
In contrast to this, the words of Jesus emphasize something completely different: OTHERS. As in, “What can I do to benefit others?” Christ wants us to find ways to serve others, help others, show love and kindness to others. Having that servant’s heart can be more transforming and influential than any amount of money and status.
Most all of us can remember certain people in our lives with their servant’s heart of selflessness and love. Was it a parent? A grandparent? A teacher? A coach? A neighbor? The genuine care, concern, and guidance of those people can make a significant impact on people’s lives, much more than can be written on a bank check.
Our nation was founded on the Judeu-Christian values stated in the Declaration of Independence:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
In the two-plus centuries since that historic document, Our country has been blessed by the power of a servant’s heart carried out by sole individuals, small groups, large movements, and enormous armies. America has had many flaws in its past and present, but it has also been a radiating beacon of light to the world when it reaches out it arms to help and protect others in need.
Following Christ does not offer or guarantee worldly riches, or a care-free, easy life. But in a world filled with sadness, anger, and fear, the message of Jesus, through His words and actions, offer hope, well as a sense of purpose and direction. I have seen materially rich people live very lost lives. And I have also seen Christ-centered people with much less earthly treasures walk a life full of joy, peace, and love.
I have been extremely blessed to have two parents with a servant’s heart. My father passed away a decade ago after a 12-year bout with brain tumors. Several years after his death, a man approached me in the aisle of my hometown hardware store. His son was a childhood friend of my brother before moving away in middle school. The dad was excited to tell me that his son was getting ordained to be a minister that weekend. I quickly thought back to my childhood days at home when my dad would go out of his way to show kindness to our friends, while also periodically finding moments to talk about the message of Christ. The man followed up his son’s news by saying what a special influence my dad was in his own life. In fact, the man told me how much he appreciated my father once telling him that he loved him–words my dad made a point to say to those around him. Those were words that man said he had never heard from even his own father.
I know that some of you have been turned off by an experience with a church. Just remember that every house of worship has the same problem: they are filled with human beings. And humans, even those of the best God-led intentions, are far from perfect. I know this personally from seeing the same very flawed individual in the mirror each day for the last four-plus decades.
But there are many, many great local churches out there filled with many caring, selfless, Christ-led people. So if you have a chance this holiday weekend, stop by your local church to hear the Easter message. My hope is that you find the hope of Jesus Christ.
E-mail the author: macaljancic@yahoo.com
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