DONALD SMITH'S FUNERAL (Sept 25, 2021)

Reneka shared with me their reflections of their Pappa, Donald Smith.

Reneka’s car was sitting up, needing repair. Her Pappa asked her what was going on.

“Why didn’t you say something to me?”

He was Waiting to be Asked ⁃ willing to listen and observe to areas of need ⁃ Willing to respond with Grace ⁃ Willing to go the proverbial “extra mile” Stuck = A Metaphor for the Human Condition

The human condition is “the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality.”

Stuck happens when your mindset and your heart rhythm is determined by your situation, circumstances—the human condition in general.

OUR HUMAN CONDITION

We are anxious, tied up in the status quo. We conform to our culture, knowing all the while that it is sick and riddled with brokenness and confusion. We walk in spiritual blindness.

When you are “stuck”, the last thing you want to hear a Stuck Analysis Report Jesus wasn’t interested in hearing that… The disciples whoever…”Who sinned…?” Has human nature changed in this regard? The man who fell into the pit and couldn’t get himself out

A Sympathetic person came along and said, “I feel for you down there.”

A Rational person came along and said, “It’s logical that someone would fall down there.” An optimist said, “Things could get worse.” A pessimist said, “Things are going to get worse.”

A Phariseesaid, “Only bad people fall into a pit.” Buddha said, “You’re pit is only a state of mind.” The Department of Environment Natural Resources said, “Make the pit a research project”. The Health Department said, “You need a Safe Key before you can get out of that pit” But Jesus saw the man in the pit, took him by the hand and lifted him out. Unstuck by The Power of the Ask Reneka car was out-of-order—stuck, not going anywhere. Stuck indefinitely as there were no funds for the needed repairs. What a metaphor for life—Stuck.

We are all, each and every one of us, stuck in the human condition.

Even those saints amongst us must admit this. We know the scripture: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” But we often find ourselves stuck, stuck in the long dark night of the soul. Stuck in the meantime, the in between time. Stuck with the question “How long is this night going to be?” Reneka’s Pappa enabled her to get unstuck. How! He invited her to ask.

Consider the Power of The Asking.

I. Acknowledges our Relationship. Anchored in a relationship. Why Ask? The Lord invites us to ask. ⁃ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7

The world is divided between those who Ask and those who never Ask.

Self-Sufficiency and Fear of Rejection are two reasons so many refuse or shy away from asking for help.

II. Anticipates a Reward ⁃

Donald was gentle…would not push himself on anyone. But when asked, he was free giving, consistent. During their time of need, Donald took Reneka and her son, Sinai every day, where they needed to go. “If you told him 8:00 am, he would be there at 7:45 am…”

Donald was Waiting to be Asked ⁃ willing to listen and observe to areas of need ⁃ Willing to respond with Grace ⁃ Willing to go the proverbial “extra mile” Donald drove the car to Weir Enterprise and later picked it up after paying for the repairs.

“Let me know…”

R: “It was nothing to him… I learned to just ask.”

“He was waiting to give…Waiting for someone to just ask him.”

“I’ve never found anyone who’s said no or hung up the phone when I called – I just asked. Most people never pick up the phone and call, most people never ask. And that’s what separates the people that do things from the people that just dream about them.”

You have not, because you ask not. James 4:2

“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving.

People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things,

but you know both God and how he works.

Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions.

You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

ASK WITH ANTICIPATION - Hebrews 11:6

For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Luke 12:29-32 (NLT)

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15

III. Reenforced Eternally—no expiration date. Consistency and Faithfulness

But two words stood out the most for her and I am sure the rest of the family—Donald was consistent and faithful. Consistent and Faithful, consistent and faithful.

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24 Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3

Jesus Christ, the same today as He was yesterday, and will be tomorrow. Hebrews 13:8

THE WAKANDA FOREVER MEANING IN REAL LIFE

“In ancient Egypt, they often posed pharaoh statues with their arms crossed over one another. Wakanda Forever meaning developed and became a sign used to signify black excellence.

It also means a ‘hug’ or ‘love’ in American Sign Language” Family, brotherhood and love is a huge part of Wakandan culture, hence the use of the ‘love’ ASL sign.