What's in a Pledge? (from my father)
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 1:59PM The following post was written by my father, an Episcopal priest, in October 1973. It was typed on a green legal sized paper and mailed to his parishioners during their stewardship program. It is one of the few writings of his that I have, and I think it is still meaningful and relevant today. Peace, John+
What's In A Pledge?
I have read a lot of very pertinent and interesting information in the past, which has attempted to answer this question, and has, from time to time, sturck some deep chords in my life. Some of it has not done anything for me, and, judging from the results of the past, has done done too much for many people like you.
This is my attempt to put it into words and thoughts which are most meaningful to me, and which I hope you, too, can find helpful. Father Leach ( The Rev. Philip M. P. Leach)
What's in a pledge . . .
a certain kind of offering of myself which is hard to describe but is there just the same . . .
what I feel when I look at my children and realize whose they are and who has given them to me. . .
the security I feel when my wife or mother or just a good friend loves me . . .
the hope that I have for a better world for my children . . .
the gloriousness of a fresh new day . . .
the satisfaction of being a part of a great effort . . .
My hopes and dreams for my life and the lives of those whom I love most . . .
the strength and hope and faith I feel in times of stress and of tribulation . . .
the thankfulness that I have that I live in this land of the free . . .
my faith that my struggles have meaning and that life is not a vain thing . . .
the goodness that I feel in the presence of goodness . . .
the hope that I have for all mankind and me that Jesus Christ has brought eternal life . . .
the joys of my life and the sadnesses of my life . . .
the great sense of comfort I feel when I realize that I never walk alone . . .
thanksgiving for this day and hope for tomorrow . . .
the pride I feel in doing my share . . .
all these things, some good, some questionable perhpas, but all ME.
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