Newspaper Page Text
Through A
Glass Darkly
(1 Cor. 13:12)
By Robert M. Alston
Pastor, Cumming United
Methodist Church
This morning I came to the following passage in reading from
KAREN, the true story of the painful triumph of a small child
over a severe, physical handicap - celebral palsy. I am reading
this little book in some research I am doing in reference to
the program on mental retardation we are attempting to start
in pur church. This particular passage I believe goes along
quite well with the celebration oftheseason.lt speaks of victory
over the forces of life which seek to destroy. Jesus' coming
into the world is a victory over the Force of Life which sole
purpose is to annihilate Life. At Christmas, we are encouraged
to go on with our skirmishes, sometimes major battles, through
the; knowledge that God is very much for usl Maybe through
Karen's victory, as told by the authoress her mother, you may
be encouraged this day.
At this juncture in the story, Karen, after seven years of
futility, is now just beginning to walk-with the help of crutches!
It is Christmas morning, and Karen’s mother writes:
i * ■
"I’m afraid we watched Karen most that morning. Straight
as a queen, crutches tapping decisively, though slowly, she
walked with the others to the crib. She dropped her right
cnitch and balancing precariously on the other, she stretched
out her hand and ever so gently rested it on the foot of the
Infant. Then, sweetly and distinctly, with the others, she sang:
‘Happy Birthday to You. Happy Birthday to You. Happy Birthday,
Baby Jesus, Happy Birthday to You.'
That same morning brought another great occasion. For five
years now we had carried Karen into church. This morning
she was to walk in for the first time ....
It was not only happiness we felt that morning but a great
and wonderful pride. Each slow step we took with her was in
itself a full reward. And each slow step swept away forever all
past discouragements, disappointments, hurts, and heartaches.
When Mass was over, we were delighted to find that our
daughter must hold court. Neighbors, friends, and total strangers
surrounded us to clasp our hands, to give a swift embrace,
to congratulate, to praise. Men and women we had seen, but
never spoken to, tried to speak and failed. There were some
who, wordless, rested a hand in benediction on Karen’s head
and turned away and cried. One and all they shared our happiness
and rejoiced with us.
Like a queen accepting the paludits of her subjects, Karen
stood with simple dignity, while through the wide-flung doors
of the church, spilled the liquid voice of the organ, raised in
exultation.
Glory to God in the Highest!”
I do not know what sort of handicap you may have, but be
certain we all live crippled in some way! We all are celebral
palsied in a way. I pray, as you read this, you will pause a
moment to examine your crippled state - whatever it is. How
much of your life has this handicap destroyed already? Do you
intend to go on giving into it while it eats at you like a parasite?
Is this inner disease your Master? Does it dominate your life
day,in and day out? Just how badly do you want to get rid of it?
Or, just how lustfully do you cling to it?
Like Karen throwing off her inability to walk, you, too, can
shake loose of your palsy! It took Karen seven years, but she
persisted. It may take you seven years. But, be certain, you
can become a free person again! "Glory to God in the highest!”
He has come! This is God’s promise that you can be cured.
We are just a day from the New Year. Even better, we are
at the outset of a New Decade! If is a time for beginning again.
A
BE SURE
TO GET j
THERE*
i pr -^
tmsar
”7
/ Time molds customs; !
! I progress brings change,
but the New Year is
i l forever the season of
\ hope and promise.
Sincere best wishes.
yNv from
fv' LANE BENNETT
MOONEY
LANE’S CLOTHING SHOP
Blackshear Place Qaineaville
I
K 36 SIQ9
with faces
toward
the
new year
let us say ....
CUMMING CONVALESCENT
HOME
" FOR THE FINEST IN NURSING CARE ”
BOX 24 CUMMING, GEORGIA 30130 887-2308
Barnett’s
Your largest and most modern supermarket
in this area
304 ATL. HIGHWAY SOUTH
WESTBROOK JEWELERS
“WHERE QUALITY COMES FIRST"
Accutron by Bulova - The world’s most J
accurate watch
117 MAIN STREET, CUMMING, GA. 887-2417
BIB
Barnett’s
Your largest and most modern supermarket
in this area
304 ATL. HIGHWAY SOUTH
BAGWELL & MATHIS TIRE CO.
WITH OUR COMPLIMENTS
107 PIRKLE FERRY ROAD 887-2351
SPLITS • SUNDAES • SHAKES
BURGERS - DOGS - FRIES | 887-3240 —
phone AHEAD FOR DAIRY QUEEN ft BRAZIER
QUICK PICK-UP ATLANTA HWY,
HEARD & WOOD BARGAIN BARN
OUR BARN IS LOADED WITH BARGAINS IN
CLOTHES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY . . .
ALSO CARPET AND FURNITURE . . .
805 ATLANTA HIGHWAY 887-3721
Forsyth County Churches Welcome You
Life is Worth Saving
Your life is important to more than
just yourself . . . take care of your
self and vour family by observing
highway safety. And when you
drive, don’t drink.
POLLY’S DRESS SHOP
DRESSES - SKIRTS - BLOUSES
COSTUME JEWELRY - SHOES -
BAGS - BABIES AND CHILDRENS WEAR
123 MAIN STREET CUMMING
GORDON’S
SAYS
GO TO CHURCH
ECONOMY AUTO SUPPLY
We Invite you to come in and raußffffßl
browse in our store . . for your HCmi"
needs in hunting and fishing supp- Saji*®*
lies & licenses .. .also lawnmowers, EEQ39
air conditioners, fans, paint, tires
and automotive parts.
Jack Grimes, Mgr.
6 miles west of Cumming on highway 20 887-3722
FORSYTH FLOOR COVERING
IF IT’S FLOORS YOU NEED . . . CHECK
WITH US . . . .FREE ESTIMATES . . .
CARPET AND INLAID
231 ATLANTA ROAD 887-3741
CUMMING
|l|H! INSURANCE
AGENCY, INC.
FIRE- AUTO - LIFE - HOSPITALIZATION -
HOMEOWNERS - J. ROBERT ROBERTSON, AGENT
111 COURTHOUSE SQUARE BOX 666 PHONE 887-6131
Tflonumtntt of tfJuuacbut.
and. (DUtinctum.
SL
1 Y TA
fINBST QUALITY CftANITI * MARBLI STONI
• SANDBLASTING • DEATH DATES CUT • WALLS BUILT
• PICNIC TABLES B PATIOS OF GRANITE ft MARBLE
J.B.GIBBS MONUMENTAL
S S!. e I 887-31711
COMPLETE HOME
FURNISHERS SINCE 1905
DRAKE FURNITURE
COMPANY BUPORD
“Lead on, 0 King Eternal,
Till tin's fierce war shall cease,
And holiness shall whisper
The sweet amen of peace.
For not with swords, loud clashing,
Nor roll of stirring drums,
With deeds of love and mercy,
The heavenly kingdom comes."
FOKSYTH COUNTY NEWS, CUMMING, GA. January 1, 1970
PAGE 5
FOODTOWN
CUMMING 887-5129
USE FORSYTH
NEWS WANT
ADS TO SELL
THOSE UNWANTED
ITEMS
u
FLOWERS FOR ALL OCCASIONS Sfc n
“With thoughts too sweet for words, send
flowers from Heard’s ’’
MRS. RUBY E. HEARD, OWNER
HEARD’S *
& GIFT SHOP
110 PIRKLE FERRY ROAD .CUMMING 887-2228
DA-JE
MOBILE HOMES
ATL. HWY. 887-4372
E.B. COLLETT CONSTRUCTION CO.
COMMERCIAL BUILDING
ATLANTA HIGHWAY 887-5316
f COMPLETE LINE OF TOYS -
GIFTS - GREETING CARDS
. AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS
....CARL JACKSON, OWNER*..
CUMM I NG, GEORG l*A
CUMMING FIVE &
TEN CENT STORE
BALD
-fgj|L RIDGE
MARINA
BOAT SALES • STORAGE • COMPLETE SERVICE
POST OFFICE BOX 005 • CUMMING. GEORGIA 30130
ATLANTA 522-9297
CUMMING 887 5309