Moore, Tom 3

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

Message: As an older human being, I still have many frailties. Despite being raised in the Methodist Church, I believed I was in total control of my destiny. All of life’s decision choices were solely mine. I was always the family “rebel”, independent and fiercely determined to do it “My Way”.

I was a difficult child, second only to my elder brother Charlie. However, in school, my conduct was always exemplary to the amazement of my parents. My Dad traveled leaving Mom with four children. Upon my father’s return, Mom would greet him with “go spank Tom”. He obliged to the delight of my brother!

After marriage, and the birth of our two children, we needed a larger residence and found our “dream home” in Winter Park. The house was “for sale by owner” necessitating direct contract negotiations; we were willing to accept any terms. After agreeing the final terms, the owner backed out and our dreams were shattered!

I considered all avenues to “force the sale” only to realize I was trying, again, to control my destiny and not trusting in the Lord. In our strife, my wife, Sheryl, read Proverbs 3:5-6. Suddenly, our path became clear – place our trust in the Lord. We both dropped to our knees, praying for God to reveal His will. About 4 months later, we found another dream home and have since lived there for 32 years! We placed our trust in the Lord and He led us along this unexpected path.

Through this ordeal, I learned to place my trust in God and let Him illuminate our path. For too many years I mistakenly believed I was in control. Trust Him with your heart and seek His will, recognizing we are frail humans.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help us remember we are only frail humans, and to recognize our will is not Your will. Help us know we are tainted by sin, limited in wisdom, and sometimes directed by impulsive assumptions and faulty emotions. Guide us to place our trust in You as we know when we entrust our hearts to You, that You will show us Your path. We praise and glorify You. Amen.

Thomas Moore

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Scripture: Romans 12:6a, 7a (NLT) – “In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well…If your gift is serving others, serve them well.”

Message: Growing up in an average middle-class family, we had the essentials for life without extravagance. My family consisted of my father, mother, two older brothers, a sister and, of course, a dog. My father worked six days a week while my mother stayed home, raising the family, and serving others, well. Although my mother had no formal training, she possessed a nurturing spirit fulfilled by volunteering as our school’s nurse (Gray Lady) and social worker, primarily responding to injured or sick students and to families who needed clothing, food, health, and shelter.

Our school consisted of a mixture of socio-economic families ranging from middle-class to poor.

On three days a week, my mother would iron her nurse’s uniform, don the hat, and exemplify God’s gift of serving others. She did this for nine years as “the Moore family” matriculated through their elementary years.

With unwavering spirit, dedication, and unselfish service, she tirelessly exemplified God’s gift to others and their families. My Mom would take care of students when they suffered sickness, scrapes, and other maladies with band aids, alcohol, iodine, aspirin, and bandages she purchased to heal playground injuries and sicknesses. Mom could transfer her healing confidence to every sick or injured child; “that all would be fine”.

As the school’s social worker, her “instincts” were “spot on” in recognizing a child, or family in need of food, clothing, or other assistance. If Mom found a need, she would always find a way to provide. Whether transportation, medicine, or a winter coat, Mom was always there to serve. Many times, she would remove clothes from our closets to give to a family in need. My Mom loved exhibiting God’s gift through her service, anonymously, confidentially, and with a warm smile. As I read the verse above, I am comforted to know my Mom used and displayed her God given gift by showing our family the importance of serving others and serving them well.

Prayer: Lord, we thank You for the gifts You have bestowed upon us. Your love and compassion for all inspires us to respond to the interests and needs of others. We pray the gift to serve others brings joy and love to all served through You. Amen.

Tom Moore

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Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) – “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Message: These words I have seen living. In 1997-98, my wife, Sheryl, was diagnosed with breast and thyroid cancers. These diagnoses hit her like a ton of bricks! What was she going to do with her oldest son, a senior in high school and her baby boy, a student in middle school? How could her husband raise the children? Would she ever see grandchildren? These were just a few of her worries after hearing, twice, “your biopsy came back positive – you have cancer”.

Sheryl was always quiet, meek, and unassuming. I questioned whether she had the strength to weather the approaching storms. But despite my concerns, Sheryl decisively, without hesitation, made plans to undergo treatment locally. She visited her surgeon and set a plan. No second guessing, no hesitation, all the while displaying an inner strength and resolve never seen before. From where did she get this?

After surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, I would hear her singing hymns while recuperating. Although often very sick and tired, she steadfastly attended soccer matches and track events for the boys. She would cook, bake, and clean for the family. Her amazing energy, confidence and strength were beyond superhuman!

Then, as Paul Harvey would say: “Now for the rest of the story”. Sheryl was always a follower, reserved and cautious. After these serious health concerns cleared, I asked; “Sheryl where did you find this strength, decisiveness, and courage and why were you not worried and fraught with fear?” She looked at me and said: “I trusted the Lord with all my heart and followed the path He made for me”. From that moment on, I realized this meek and unassuming girl had more inner strength and more trust than me!

Prayer: Dear Almighty God, thank You for bringing Sheryl into our lives through her strength and trust. Thank You for allowing her to bring Your living words into our lives. Thank You for showing all are strong beyond measure when putting our complete trust in You, Dear Lord. I pray we all remember our strength is through You and in You; lead us with confidence to accept and follow the path You have laid for us. Amen.

Tom Moore

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