It is no small accomplishment to have graduated at the very top of the bottom third of my high school class (1966). With all of 16 credits I did not merit a New York State Regent’s diploma. The truth is, I wouldn’t have graduated at all but for a largely unappreciated “over the hill” math teacher, Roland Reade. Somehow, the “light turned on” in the middle of my junior year and with God’s help and Mr. Reade, I became a learner.
Mr. Reade taught me not so much about plane geometry as he did about motivating students to reach their highest potential. He was more concerned about his students as persons than he was about their ability to perform academically. He cared about the low achiever as much as he did the high achiever. For a student who had not been considered “college material” that was all I needed to become a learner.
Then in the Spring of the same year, I began the discipline of reading one chapter of Proverbs each day. And, on the fourth of April, these words leapt off the page:
“Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.” Proverbs 4:13 KJV
Suddenly, I knew my mission in life was to be both a learner and a teacher of the Scriptures. The convergence of events that junior year with what I sensed was God’s calling, transformed my life. And it was reinforced most unexpectedly on the day I graduated from Philadelphia College of Bible, now Cairn University.
On Saturday May 8th, 1971, dressed in cap and gown, I walked over to the Sheraton Hotel in Center City Philadelphia. As I was about to step on the elevator which would take me up to the Ballroom for college commencement ceremonies, who do you suppose was stepping off that very elevator? Mr. and Mrs. Roland Reade! It gives me chills to this day!
We greeted one another and it took him a minute to remember who I was. I hadn’t seen him for six years.
But, to this day, I don’t know for whom God meant this timely encounter. Was it for me, or was it for him? Methinks, it was surely an affirmation of the investment he made in the lives of students like me, one which was very much under-appreciated in Mineola. But it also spoke to me of God’s ways with those who trust in Him. To fulfill His calling for my life, God knew I needed a Roland Reade and at just the right time. Soli Deo Gloria!
Hidden Arrows 
Ed , I have enjoyed your blog since you began and look forward to them. I miss you and Lynn. Things are moving forward under our new pastor, Trip. I also learned much when you were here at Greenwoods.
John
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Thank you, John. Have many fond memories of Greenwood’s and valued your friendship and encouragement. Glad to know the work is moving forward under Pastor Trip!
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Soli Deo Gloria! Glory to God Alone. There are no coincidences in our lives. Our Father shares none of His Glory with random chance. Proverbs 16.33 says, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” Forty-eight years later and still God’s Glory radiates in that moment.
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Amen! And, Proverbs 16:33 is also one of my favorite texts. Thanks for your comments, Wes.
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Wes, this morning I read this in My Utmost and thought Chamber’s remarks echoed yours.
“A saint is not to take the initiative toward self-realization, but toward knowing Jesus Christ. A spiritually vigorous saint never believes that his circumstances simply happen at random, nor does he ever think of his life as being divided into the secular and the sacred. He sees every situation in which he finds himself as the means of obtaining a greater knowledge of Jesus Christ, and he has an attitude of unrestrained abandon and total surrender about him.”
Soli Deo Gloria!
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My apology for the literary freedom taken with ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON famous poem.
“Forward Christ’s Brigade!”
Was there a man dismayed?
Nay for every soldier knew
Christ never blunders.
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs through faith rely.
Into the valley of Life
The bride rode by the hundreds.
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