Helen Keller ~ Giver Of Hope

Helen Keller & Anne Sullivan

Last week I attempted to eliminate some children's books from my collection. A few tattered paperbacks minus covers and pages certainly didn't add beauty to the shelves. I pulled those first, deciding to read them before discarding. One particularly dilapidated early Scholastic edition was about Helen Keller. Although I knew much about Miss Keller, she being a prominent inspiring individual, I learned more.

Helen's indomitable will fought against her as a young girl trapped in a silent, dark world. Yet that same spirit worked on her behalf, once Anne Sullivan entered six-year-old Helen's life. Helen's parents pitied her and didn't think her capable of living civilly in a hearing/seeing world. They left her untrained. Then Anne Sullivan arrived. "Teacher," as Helen dubbed her, expected much more and practiced tough-love with this child. Once Helen's strong will yielded to Teacher's demands, the young girl soared.

By the time Miss Sullivan had been with the Kellers four months, she taught Helen to finger spell (manual alphabet), form sentences, write on paper in an understandable fashion, read and type braille ~ all this from a child not thought capable of learning. Within the next few years, Helen (who didn't want to be "dumb") learned to speak understandably enough to ones who knew her.

Helen at Radcliffe

Helen determined to attend Radcliffe (Harvard's women's division). They didn't initially want her. Minds changed, however, when Helen wrote to them saying, "I realize that the obstacles in the way of my receiving a college education are very great. But a true soldier does not admit defeat before the battle." She was accepted (with Teacher at her side), wrote The Story Of My Life during those years, and graduated with honors.

Once graduated, this young woman desired to earn her way in life. She did so by writing, touring the lecture circuit, and "performing" in Vaudeville (harshly criticized but wanting to earn enough to sponsor Anne Sullivan for life, in gratitude for what Teacher had done for her).

Helen wanted to offer the world what Anne Sullivan had given her ~ hope. She promised Teacher she'd do just that. When World War II ended, Helen and new companion Polly went to hospitals to encourage soldiers and citizens blinded in battle and air raids. She advocated for the sightless worldwide, raising funds and petitioning for better disability laws.

Helen "listening" to President Eisenhower

Helen Keller, known and respected by countless thousands, held audience with royalty, celebrities, and Presidents. She learned to understand those who could not communicate with her by reading their lips. What a remarkable individual!

In closing, I share with you several quotes from the woman who "spoke" well: "I never fight, except against difficulties ... I seldom think about my limitations, and they never make me sad. Perhaps there is just a thought of yearning at times, but it is vague, like a breeze among flowers ... I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble ... Believe, when you are most unhappy, that there is something for you to do in the world. So long as you can sweeten another's pain, life is not in vain." ~ Helen Keller

(Photos ~ Public Domain)

Solid Ground ~ Part 3

Photo by Liz Marr

Our hope is based on solid ground whether talking about life, faith, or politics. Storms will come in all areas of life, but what's founded on rock holds. Remember the example in Part 1 where a foolish man's house built on sand cannot withstand the tiniest wave, like my childhood sand castles? But the wise man who builds his house on a solid foundation stands much greater rate of survival.

Over the years, many churches have weakened their message in hopes of bringing in greater numbers, diverse age groups, or a trendier crowd. The very people searching for a firm foundation cannot find it. They may become believers, but they're not grounded in Biblical teaching. So how can they grow strong and stand when trials hit? Bible doctrines, God's principles for living, are essential for us to grow and stand firm in the Lord Jesus Christ.

What does this have to do with politics? Same principle holds true. About 100 years ago in our nation's history, men who ruled strayed from our founding father's intent, putting into play a whole new philosophy to weaken our republic. Although we've had a few presidents since who've tried to rescue us and place us back on freedom's trail, the ones who've undone have succeeded in weakening our nation. None has done so as drastically as our present leader.

Our founding fathers birthed us a country with a strong Constitution. These men didn't haphazardly throw together what they like for convenience or self-aggrandizement. Quite the opposite, despite what modern-day textbooks may tell us. They sacrificed much ~ they and their families, knowing full well it might cost them the ultimate price. And the key? They based their beliefs on God, Lord and Creator of the very ground on which they stood.

To uproot a nation built on such principles and plant it on sandy soil of feel-goodism, lies, and anti-God rhetoric is to doom what blood bought and paid for ~ not only military blood but Jesus' as well. For our founding fathers reverenced the Almighty and understood the importance of centering our government on Him.

The farther a people stray from our Solid Rock, the closer they come to destruction ~ whether we're speaking of their personal lives, their faith, or their political choices for governing us all. Now more than ever it's essential we understand our future lies in the balance. Will we chose solid foundation or crumbling sand? This individual choice will affect us all, come election day. May we look to the Lord for His discernment in every decision.

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus' Name.

When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand...all other ground is sinking sand.
(Edward Mote ~ 1836)

Solid Ground ~ Part 2

Firm foundations are essential. I'm convinced we can only survive if we are anchored in solid ground. As I reflected on the subject of hope, I realized this is key.

Back to doctrine (mentioned in part 1) ~ Foundations of our faith based on God's Word, the Bible, serve as building blocks for everything else in our lives. If we trust Jesus as Savior, Who Himself is the Rock and Cornerstone, then we've taken the first step toward building that foundation. But is that enough?

Yes, it's enough to seal our salvation from sin and destination to Heaven ~ also our escape from hell. No, we should not stop once sealed by the Holy Spirit even though our salvation is complete. We need to grow ~ become anchored. That's why God instructs us to learn more of Him through His Word. By reading and memorizing the Bible, we grow in our relationship with Him and remain on solid ground. God speaks truth. Truth is hope's foundation.

All through history false teachers have risen up and attempted to convince people there are other foundations. But all these, based on false gods, have failed. Like building a house on sand. The only one Who has stood the test of time is the Trinity ~ God the Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Why? Go back to the cross. Jesus, God the Son, not only took our sin on Himself and shed blood for our forgiveness but rose again and lives. Had He not risen again, would He be any different from the others? His grave is empty. Truth lives. Hope lives.

My faith is not only founded on solid doctrines/teachings/ground, but I can say without a doubt I serve and love the Living God. You may ask what that has to do with hope, truth, and doctrine. My answer? Everything. By learning God's Character through time spent in His Word, I realize one of God's attributes is that He Is Truth ~ thus He Is Hope. If I don't learn more of Him, I could easily waver when other "gods" try to sway me.

So learning about God's attributes and growing in Him is essential for my life, faith, and how I carry out my civic duty. Some will argue that character, morals, and wishy-washy beliefs do not affect who we are as a people, body of Christ, and nation. I disagree...