Troy and Cleon are the sons of Juanita Stockstill. I was Ms. Juanita’s pastor when I pastored West Union Baptist Church east of Carriere, Mississippi. The Stockstill boys lived across the road from their mother on the west sided of Carriere. (Carriere was really not big enough to have “sides.”) Their houses were mirror images of each other. They shared a swimming pool located between the houses. When I met the brothers, they owned a business that prepared the land for large building projects. A short time later they sold their equipment and opened a Ford tractor business in Picayune, Mississippi.
Ms. Juanita took care of our Dana, our first child, and later Drew after he was born. We enjoyed many hours in her home and the Stockstill pool. She was a wonderful caring and gentle person. She was an above-average cook; therefore, the family often gathered around her kitchen table frequently. Troy and Cleon became brothers to us. During those six years, we developed a bond which still stirs my heart with joy every time I think of them.
The circumstance no longer lingers in my memory but the moment does. I was hanging out in the tractor office one day bemoaning some situation in my church. Troy ended the bemoaning with this little ditty:
“When in wonder, When in doubt, Run in circles, Scream and shout.”
I laughed then and I have laughed a couple of thousand times since. I laughed because it was so like me. When challenging and uncertain events present themselves in my life, my kneejerk reaction is to “wonder” why God let this happen, and “doubt” I will survive or able to solve the catastrophe. This phase is followed by considerable physical, and emotional energy exerted as I “run in circles, scream, and shout.” Peace is contorted in a rolling dark cloud of fear hiding my confidence and contentment. Strength is diminished, dragging hope down with it. The thick goo of anger and discouragement glistens around my feet making it almost impossible to move in any direction. I could go on but I am beginning to get woozy just reliving my feelings.
There is another way to deal with crises that inevitably will arise on our horizon or linger just around a bend in life’s road. Life is never about what we are going through. It is about what we are becoming. Every event, good or bad, painful or pleasant is the touch of the hand of God shaping our character and bolstering our endurance. In the economy of the Kingdom coming in our lives, every death is followed by a resurrection. The death of a dream is always followed by the rising of a new, greater dream. The pain of losing what is temporary is and will be painful, but for those following Christ, we are confident He is still leading and where He leads is always toward the perfection and endurance of eternity.
The problem with running in circles is you always end up where you started. You have covered a lot of distance: but made no progress. The problem with screaming and shouting is it often leaves you hoarse and isolated. Except for your fellow screamers, shouters, and circle runners; no one wants to be with whiners.
Photograph – Fred Baldwin. Northeast Montana heading toward Glacier National Park.
Baldwin Heirlooms 