seen the creation of a Youth and Family Ministry role and now that position too, is
vacant. We have seen children born and congregants leave. We know change.
Since Spencer Johnson has written a new book, it is only fitting that I borrow from his
text to share “The Present” with you today. For I believe wholeheartedly that the text
offers a powerful message for our congregation. That message is an appreciation for a
special gift. Dr. Johnson writes a parable a young boy (who becomes a man over time),
and the mentor that is an older and quite accomplished neighbor. They routinely
discuss what is described as a powerful present. The older man routinely tells the boy
about a great present that he may be lucky enough to receive in his lifetime. The boy
wonders what this present might be, perhaps a bike or other great gift on Christmas
morning.
The boy mows lawns, as many boys do and demonstrates business acumen at an early
age. He mows and thinks about the present, which the old man continually refers and
he seems happy. The boy grows into a young man with lots of promise in the
professional world. His conversations with the old man fade into a distant memory. The
young man is immersed into his work but (this is an abridged version) is passed over for
a promotion. The young man is angry, but keeps his feelings to himself. Ultimately the
stress of this issue affects his performance at work and his personal life as well. Things
break off with his longtime girlfriend. The young man is to say the least, at a low.
Upon returning to his old neighborhood, he sees the older man and recounts the
conversations of his youth, conversations that offered the promise of a great present.
Haven’t we all been told that a great present was going to come our way? A few weeks
ago, the country mourned the death of our fortieth President, Ronald Reagan. Having
come of age during the Reagan presidency, I have always felt a fond kinship to this
president in particular. What was not known outside of a few chosen people was the
deep faith that the president had during his lifetime. This became known to the masses
during the coverage of his death.
During the stress of mourning the loss of a father in front of the eyes of a nation,
Michael Reagan eulogized his father, speaking of the great gifts he received when he
was younger. Being a Reagan, the obligatory horse was one such gift and a car
followed, quoting Mr. Reagan, “Last Saturday, when my father opened his eyes for the
last time and visualized Nancy and gave her a wonderful, wonderful gift and then closed
his eyes. That was when I realized the gift that he gave to me. The gift that he was
going to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ… I can’t think of a greater gift for a
father to give a son.” (End Quote) What a great gift we can all share with the people
that we know.
Getting back to Johnson’s parable. The young man decides, at the suggestion of the
older man, to take a break from work and the other issues that are causing him great
stress. He ventures off to a friend’s mountain retreat where he hopes to clear his mind.
He spends the first few days thinking about the obstacles in his life and how things
seemed so much easier when he was younger. On his last night in the cabin he takes in
a walk in the surrounding grounds and takes in the moment. The air is crisp and the
moon is full. This environment clears his mind and he focuses on the now. He focuses
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