All Things Are Possible, Through Christ
by Jacqueline Fadel
At the same time I was pondering what I would like to share with you in this issue of The Word Magazine, I was reading a book written by a man who had made a successful business selling baskets which his grandfather was responsible for creating for his family’s own personal use. The man, believing in the quality of his grandfather’s work, wondered if others could grow to appreciate the craftmanship of his product. He certainly felt that the baskets showed value and quality. From the first twelve or so baskets that he took to market to sell, he developed his beliefs into a multimillion dollar business. Some years later he penned a book on how he had managed to do it. Sadly his book was published after his death and it was his daughter who was asked to write the Forward for this amazing story. What a daunting task to write about a man whom she said always challenged her as well as his employees, to “push themselves to stretch, to try new things, to meet the next challenge.” It got me thinking. Who in my life had had that kind of an effect on me and if I were asked to write a Forward for a book on that person’s life, what would I say?
First off, I guess the person I would select, would have been my grandfather, Farris. Leaving his homeland of Lebanon to come to America to make a better life for himself and subsequently for the family he would raise in this new land of opportunity along with his wife, Rachel, directed me to begin thinking about his influence on me and all those in my family. His faith was the wind that helped him sail across the ocean to this unknown land. He believed that God had directed him to this new place despite the long and arduous journey. He knew no more about America than what he had heard and yet he persevered. One of his first efforts was the planning and building of an Orthodox Church with the many men who had traveled with him from their beloved Lebanon. Their faith was the glue that held them together; for doing so was a difficult task, a "new challenge." That church, the one built in 1926, was their life. St. George, today, 80 years later, still remains as a reminder of those men and their faith. It is a symbol of all we, as Christians, can accomplish in Christ's name.
As I grew up under the influence of my grandfather, I realized how many times I faced new beginnings and found myself saying, "Dear God, please help me." I wonder how often I'd watch my grandfather serve his church. He acted as an inspiring role model, because he did so by example, without complaint and with unquestionable commitment. He never missed a Sunday or a special service. He chanted the Epistle in Arabic and served early on as a member of the first Parish Council. I can clearly remember that even during the last months of his life as he battled cancer, his body weak, he managed to make it to church to sing the responses during one of the weekday services of Holy Week. He had never missed one. In First Corinthians, Chapter 13:7-8, we read...."(Love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." My grandfather lived his life believing and practicing the above. As long as he had and shared love in his daily life, he was able to go on and meet the challenges that came his way. Love for his church, his God, his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was his strength.
As I look into the future I hope and pray that we all walk boldly in today's world with love and faith. For without them it would be impossible if we hope to succeed. Not to have our faith to share with our children and the generations to follow is unthinkable. We must be the beacons of light that will bring our families to Christ by living the faith through good works and steadfastness.
