歪歪漫画

I admit that I am anxious about the next four years.

The word 鈥渁nxious鈥� comes from the word anxiety, which means nervousness, worry, or unease. Many people confuse 鈥渁nxious鈥� with anticipation or looking forward to something special. The next four years could be something special, but I hope not in a negative way.

Although half of our country is split along party lines, most are anxious. We don鈥檛 know what will happen, which is true whenever there is a change in political parties. The party that didn鈥檛 win gives the other party the benefit of the doubt and places a lot of emphasis on hoping for the best.

As one grows older, change becomes more difficult to handle and you spend more time reminiscing about times when you had to struggle but when things turned out for the best.

Our great-grandparents lived through the Civil War and World War I, survived the Roaring 20s, felt the pain of a deep depression that forgot no one, and lived through the crash of Wall Street when many banks closed their doors and people lost their savings. But, they endured and prospered.

Our grandparents witnessed most of the same things as well as World War II, the sweeping changes of the 60s, the assassination of a president and civil rights leader, and the Vietnam War. But, they also endured and prospered.

Our parents and their children experienced the same events but also were living when the atomic bomb exploded in Japan, had friends killed in Korea, and saw the Twin Towers collapse. But, they, too, made it through those dark shadows.

My friends who were born in the 40s and 50s experienced like happenings including the pandemic and the assault on the United States Capitol, which we never dreamed would ever happen. But, it did happen and life goes on.

Why were we able to pull through so many catastrophic events?

In 1782, John Fawcett, born into a poor family in Yorkshire, England, wrote a hymn titled 鈥淏lest Be the Tie that Binds.鈥�

Lowell Mason composed it in 1790. The hymn emphasizes the love and commitment of Christian fellowship and hopes that this unity of fellowship will never be broken.

"Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above."

John Fawcett became an orphan at the age of 12. He was inspired by a local preacher and answered a call to become a pastor. In 1765, he became a pastor of a poor Baptist congregation and remained there for seven years.

He was then called to become pastor of a larger and wealthier congregation in London but after having his bags packed and then hearing the pleadings from his own congregation, he turned down the call.

Reflecting on this moment, he sat down and wrote this hymn to commemorate his decision. He went on to serve as a preacher of this congregation for the remainder of his days.

Some authors believe John and his wife, Mary, are reminiscent of George and Mary in the Christmas movie, 鈥淚t鈥檚 a Wonderful Life.鈥�

As you recall, George turned down a lucrative offer to leave Bedford Falls but decided to stay and serve the people of his community. He and Mary felt the need for Christian love.

Although we always expressed differences of opinion there was always, underneath this divisiveness, something that bound our hearts in fellowship. No doubt it was the 鈥淐hristian love鈥� referred to in the hymn.

As we mourn the loss of our 39th president, Jimmy Carter, it鈥檚 important to keep in mind how he lived his life in Christian love and our political leaders can most honor his life by doing the same.

Yes, I am anxious about the next four years as I think everyone is. If we use history as our guide and be mindful of what enabled our forefathers to pull through and try to live our lives exemplified by Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, we, too, will endure by taking heart in 鈥淏lest Be the Tie that Binds.鈥�

Riddle: What did one ball of twine say to another ball of twine? Answer: I鈥檓 at the end of my rope. When we remember what binds us, there is no reason to believe we are at the end of our rope.

Riddle: What did one ball of twine say to another ball of twine? (Answer: I鈥檓 at the end of my rope. When we remember what binds us, there is no reason to believe we are at the end of our rope.)

The new year, 2025, represents another year in our relentless efforts to graduate 100% of our students. Working together we can make it happen.

John R. Eggers of Bemidji is a former university professor and area principal. He also is a writer and public speaker.