Family

Where is God in Parkinsons?

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Pieter Stok

Parkinsons is a cruel disease. Hands that don’t work as they should; no longer writing or giving a warm greeting. A mouth that can only mumble where it once spoke forth friendship and warmth. Eyes that once sparkled with humour now won’t shut or open as they should. And most cruelly, medicine that creates its own world in the imagination of the sufferer.

I returned today from visiting an elderly uncle who has Parkinsons.  He is a warm, friendly and beautiful human being who was the family letter writer, in the past, keeping a family separated by continents connected through his written words.

He recognised me when I entered his room at the nursing home, which pleased me. But soon he was mumbling about a fantasy world in English and Dutch. The amazing thing is that he has not spoken Dutch on a regular basis for 60 years. Yet that is where his mind takes him back.

I chatted and he mumbled for forty minutes. I read some of Psalm 139 and prayed. Then his eyelids drooped and it was time for me to go.

I felt so helpless and frustrated in the face of such a disease.

Today as I was taking the 2 hour drive home, all I could do was to hand it over to God. God please give comfort. God, please be present in his heart and mind. God give give strength and healing. God please …  So the prayer went on.

Parkinsons is one of the more dramatic and tragic manifestations of our human frailty. Cancer, MS and the myriad of other diseases point to the same reality; as much as we try, life on this earth is temporary. Ultimately our humanity crumbles.

Where is God? God is in the promise, that through His son son, there is hope and life beyond the frailty. His desire for us is not Parkinsons or cancer but a wholeness in mind and body, in His presence, for eternity.

Can I understand all that? No, it is beyond my comprehension. Do I believe it? Yes, for me and especially my uncle.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Family, Parkinsons | Tags: , , , , | 11 Comments

Larsson and Sorolla: A Study in Priorities

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Pieter Stok

From the Sorolla Museum, Madrid

Let me begin by saying that I am not art expert. I belong to the “I know what I like” school of art. A school that many critics would deride.

Through my wife’s influence I have encountered two artists who impress me. The first is Joaquín Sorolla (27 February 1863 – 10 August 1923) and the other is Carl Larsson (May 28, 1853 – January 22, 1919). The first Spanish and the second a Swede. I doubt if they ever met.

What impresses me about these two men, is that what is important in their lives permeates their art. They cannot stop their passions being predominant in their work. And in both cases, the recurring theme is wife and family. Both men have so many works that celebrate family life – both formal and informal. The children, celebrations, family life, sadness and happiness are all revealed unapologetically in their art.

Breakfast Under the Big Birch Tree

You can visit the homes of both men in Madrid and Sundborn, and nearly a century later, family warmth still exudes from these places.

Both artists also reveal a connection with faith; Catholic and Lutheran. I cannot judge their hearts but it is clear that faith and its expression was a core part of each family.

Matt 6:21 states: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

From the Sorolla Museum, Madrid

In a century’s time, if people were to explore and research our lives what would they deduce about our passions and priorities? Would it be obvious or vague? Distilled or ravelled? Would they find an example of C21st ego-centrism or someone unique and special, whose character defied the spirits of the age.

If anyone were (foolish enough) to look for a trace of me in years to come, I hope their conclusion would be that I was an imperfect man who had a passion for faith and family.

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No Man is an Island

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Pieter Stok

“No man is an island entire of itself; every man
is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe
is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as
well as a manor of thy friends or of thine
own were; any man’s death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom
the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. ”
John Donne – theologian and poet.

After near six weeks of traveling, meeting friends and family, the above quote has hit home. There are family members and friends with serious illnesses. Removing myself to Australia does not lessen the pain I feel that these loved ones are struggling. Having reconnected, in fact, makes their struggle part of my life too. Ironically, I am ‘pleased’ that it hurts as it reminds me that these friends and family members are important members of my human family and my life.

Lord, even with the distance of miles and kilometers that I feel, be close to those who are hurting. Be a source of comfort and strength,that is divine and eternal.
Amen

Categories: Devotional, Faith, Family, Reflections | 4 Comments

Hetty’s Perspective on Our Last Day in the UK

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Pieter Stok

Tuesday 24 April Market Harborough to Seer Green
Another homemade breakfast greeted us downstairs as Lin had made porridge for us. It was a relaxing way to start the day, especially with Handel’s Largo playing in the background. Afterwards we bade John and Lin farewell and headed for Milton Keynes Centre to find a car charger for the IPad. It just happened that the Lego shop was across the way from the Apple shop. Imagine that! We filled up a tub with bricks. Then we went in search of a suitcase on wheels which could use as carry-on. It was good to wander through the Centre and surprising how familiar it all was.

Pieter was overjoyed we got back to the car and discovered that the new charger did its job. He programmed the gps on the dashboard for Rochester and soon we were traveling south to the orders of Miss GPS, “in 300 yards veer right, take the second exit, continue on the M1 for 9 miles” . I relaxed. Some other woman was telling Pieter where to go.

A few hours and half the London ring road later, we got to Rochester. We did a walking tour to see the buildings and sites that inspired Charles Dickens. Just as we started the rain stopped, at last. When we got to the tourist office a group of loud schoolgirls were testing the patience of the staff. The lady behind the counter told us about another Dickens exhibition at the Guildhall. We hurried off and discovered not only an excellent video of how Dickens saw Rochester in the 1850-80s. There were also exhibits of the hulk ships, maritime items and town history. They used mirrors creatively to make spaces appear larger. Altogether it was well presented and supplemented what we saw yesterday at the Museum of London. When we get back home I will have to read Edwin Drood, Dickens last unfinished book, set in Rochester.

We wound up Miss GPS and she got us to our campsite in Seer Green, via the other half of the ring road (yes we’re almost back to where we started).

We have had a lovely meal in the local pub- The Jolly Cricketers. Pieter’s thumb looks dreadful and makes cutting his food nearly impossible. “Bryce Courtney” is sitting at the next table behaving lecherously towards a blond half his age. Disgusting!

Tomorrow we will catch our flight to Goteborg, Sweden, after bringing the car and Miss GPS back to Hertz.
PS. I listened to The Archers tonight before going to the pub and meeting people who must have been the inspiration for some of the characters.

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A Quiet English Weekend

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Pieter Stok

This weekend we have had a quiet, by our standards, few days. We visited the Cowper Newton Museum in Olney on Saturday. This is a brilliant little museum celebrating the lives of two Christian men – a poet and a reformed sea captain turned Anglican minister. This museum pictures their lives and the era in which they lived.

That evening we dropped in unannounced at our friends Heather and Keith and their two daughters. The following morning, after walking through Bletchley, we attended Spurgeon’s Baptist church and renewed old relationships. In the afternoon, after a detour to the Eleanor Cross in Geddington (which included an unexpected guide by the local historian) we stayed with our friends John and Lin. They made us feel at home so we stayed an extra night. We also attended their delightful church in the evening – Baptist again. The music was warm and celebratory; the message to the point.

On Monday we did the tourist thing in London: the Eye, the Tower, a trip down the stone steps which badly bruised my thumb, the British Library with its amazing manuscripts, and the Museum of London – chasing Charles Dickens. We continued our Dickens research on Tuesday in Rochester.

Insights? Not too many. I was too relaxed. However, French and German student groups are ruder than any I have ever come across! The Tower of London with screaming German students may be a just cause for a … I think I am going to far.

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“Gone Walking”

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Pieter Stok

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A “Must Read”

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Pieter Stok

The following was passed onto me after reading yesterday’s post on age and wisdom. This report is exactly what I was talking about. Take time to read it and delight in it! I was humbled by this beautiful story and I rejoiced when I read the last line.

Oldest Living Couple on Earth Gives Great Relationship Advice

Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher

Categories: christian, Christianity, Devotional, Education, Faith, Family, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Sharing Knowledge and Understanding

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Pieter Stok

As I promised, yesterday, I have a second story. This one is based upon observation and conjecture. On our short camping trip, my wife and I stopped at a remote and isolated  town on a river. As there were picnic tables at the local jetty we thought this was a good place to stop for our cuppa.

I will just give you the details: What I observed was a caucasian lady, whose husband was minding the small children, teaching a group of people, of middle eastern appearance, how to fish: including how to bait the hook and cast the line into the water. This was done through example, teaching and lots of encouragement – especially when the casting of the line didn’t go as planned. There was also plenty of laughter and cajoling. It was obvious that there was joy in this mini learning community.

The conjecture is about the   origin of these middle eastern people and why they are in such a remote town. What I found heart warming was the scene where one person was sharing with others a knowledge they didn’t have: “How to fish”.

There are so many metaphors and lessons in this whimsical picture and it doesn’t require me to set them out. I’ll just finish by saying, I was mesmerised and challenged by the scene.

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Model Trains and Life

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Pieter Stok

I did something yesterday that I hadn’t done before. I went to a model train exhibition. Shaun’s “Pop” had created a model railway in an old suitcase. He had another in a briefcase – even finer and smaller. It was very impressive. Many of the exhibitions were amazing to behold: a combination of hobby, craft, technology and imagination.

These people obviously had a passion for model trains that far outweighed any simple curiosity I had. Once again I see a lesson in this and it relates back to the posts I have written on family. If only we put the same time, energy, enthusiasm and care into the nurturing of our kids. I am sure that each individual who built the layouts, the engines and the trains didn’t learn their skills over night. They worked and worked until they got it right.

Our families deserve the same passion and endurance, and more.

P.S. I loved the way that dads and their children were mutually mesmerised by the exhibition. You could see father and child enjoying its wonder together. This too, is another lesson!

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Proverbs 22:6

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Pieter Stok

“Start children off on the way they should go, 
   and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

The following is an added thought to my post on “parenting” the other day.

This proverb contains a profound, yet simple, principle. It is not a guarantee  – an absolute money back gold plated pledge. No, it is a principle. Train your child in the manner suggested in the post a few days ago (Some random thoughts on parenting)  and it will be rare and unusual for your child to turn from the morals, behaviours and values that you have instilled in them. The child who rebels will do so intentionally because he or she has chosen to move from the standard set before them. But again, this occurrence is rare. However conversely, if you do not train your child intentionally from the start, it is rare for the child to find a straight and healthy path (faith, values, attitudes and behaviours) in life. Of course, some will, but they will have to consciously chose to move from the valueless and directionless beginnings they have been raised in.

Parents often say to me, “In the area of faith I want my child to make their own decision when they are older.” At first this has the ring of reason, but in no other area of our parenting do we do this. “Dear, you chose to read and write when you want to.” Or, “You chose if you want to wash your hands after going to the bathroom.” And so on. If God’s Word is true, and I believe it is, then the principle placed before us is crucial in all areas of the child upbringing, including, and especially, the area of faith.

“Start children off on the way they should go, 
   and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

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