Mike’s Musings  …                                          

                                                                                                                                                                             Additional History

   In last week’s THOUGHTS WORTH THINKING, only a brief history of brother CHESTER PARSONS appeared. Since then, HARMON and CAROLYN THOMAS of Wolf Creek church of Christ, Malta, OH “filled in some blanks” and corrected some information. I share it with you in this week’s musings.

   The man I mentioned who died before sister Ethel was not the son of Chester and Ethel, but rather her brother. He passed only a few days after brother Chester. It was said by sister Ethel, “If the Lord had chosen to have taken Frank first, Chester and I might have had a few days together.” Chester and Ethel had had a son, but he died as a young lad. Both Chester and Ethel are buried at Rosseau, Morgan County, OH.

   Harmon remembers brother Chester walking to services at Wolf Creek, and as he walked, he was reciting his sermon. Perhaps this is why he never allowed anyone to pick him up but did allow someone to take him home. Nearly every summer, someone from Pennsylvania would come to Wolf Creek and get brother Chester and take him to Pennsylvania to preach a gospel meeting or two. Indeed, brother Parsons and his wife were simple folks with a humble spirit, intent only on serving God!

   Perhaps we need a return to such “simpler times.” While I don’t desire many losses from modern conveniences, perhaps if we set those things aside for a day or so, we could return to the more devoted times of thought and care. It’s certain we’d be less wasteful of time and talents, and more appreciative of what we have instead of desirous of what we want. History has a way of humbling modernistic mentality and begging the question, “How did they do it?” The most common answer is, “They worked at it,” followed by the good advice, “Work smarter, not harder.”

   I muse so often of those whose lives have crossed paths with mine, and appreciate their dedication to God’s truth, the kingdom of Christ, and living their lives for the simple recognition of “being a Christian.” Seemingly, today’s culture demands a higher achievement of its inhabitants. Yet, the scriptures declare the greatest achievement for any soul is to fear God and keep His commandments (Eccl. 12:13; Phil. 3: 12 – 21). If all that can be said of us is, “He/she served God faithfully,” there is nothing greater to be said! At Judgment Day, “Well done,” is the only accolade we need to hear … we can finish the statement. Oh, that we will learn from the history, that any future God may permit will be determined as “faithful unto death.” (Rev. 14:13).