Remembering Roger and Reu

²⁴ Arphaxad was the father of Shelah,

and Shelah the father of Eber.

²⁵ Two sons were born to Eber:

One was named Peleg, because in his time the earth was divided; his brother was named Joktan.

I read this passage in Genesis this morning and it triggered a memory.

It also made me happy to be getting older.

I have always found certain people intimidating.  Preachers.  Teachers.  Professionals of any kind.  Anyone in authority.  People who seem to have it all together.  Anyone who Looks at me like That.  Quite a long list, unfortunately, and I'm sure a therapist could keep busy for two weeks dissecting this troubling trait.

However, I almost never find people younger than me intimidating.

Amy told me recently that one class at SMBI uses one of Roger Hertzler's books as a textbook.  I found that quite interesting, that a Willamette Valley guy has risen to such heights and renown.

I am sure that if I as a teenager would have met the current Roger, I would have been overcome with fear and awe.  Such a serious, studious, spiritual, successful AUTHOR.

However, I am not intimidated by Roger because I was his teacher, way back in the day.  Already back then, he was into studying and memorizing Scripture.  He used to yank his sister's braid and quote a verse: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;"  Ecclesiastes 9:10

Sometimes, for morning devotions, I would have the children quote a Bible verse of their choice.  All the proper and sensible students would quote Psalm 23:1 or John 3:16 or Romans 8:28.

But Roger and/or his mischievous cousin Stephen would often grin slyly and quote 1 Chronicles 1:25 in its entirety: "Eber, Peleg, Reu,"

What could I say?  They were certainly quoting Scripture, as instructed.

So it made me remember, and smile, when Eber and Peleg showed up in my morning reading.

Stephen, by the way, is now the bishop of Halsey Mennonite.

In Lucy Maud Montgomery's books there is often a grouchy old great-aunt who can be counted on, at large public gatherings, to bring up someone's worst cringe-worthy moment from their difficult adolescence, and to share it with the crowd.

I hope I'm not becoming that person.  But it is nice to reach an age where you remember enough of these incidents to keep from being intimidated by a Mennonite scholar and his cousin the bishop.  And a growing number of other people as well.

Quote of the Day:

"Oh, Mother!  That is such an inspirational Bible verse that you posted!"

--Ben