Bedrock

Bedrock

by Tom Woodard

Every family, every Church, every community has at least one. They are our foundation stones. These are the people about whom no one seems to have anything negative to say. And the reason is that they don't give anyone cause to do so. Some folks accomplish this by being anonymous, doing nothing, saying nothing, and accomplishing little. But these are not bedrock individuals, not foundation stones of the community or family.

No, the folks who constitute our bedrock do things which are significant, tho in an unassuming, dignified way. They say things which are solid and worthwhile, things which provide guidance, comfort, and hope, things which are wise but humble, but they tend to listen more than they speak. They accomplish much, tho perhaps not always in the sense that the world measures accomplishments, and they do so without climbing over the backs or reputations of others, but on their own merit and character. They have the amazing quality of not offending nor hurting while doing great things, and of spreading the credit around, often denying any credit at all for themselves but giving it all to the helpers - all the while everyone knowing that without their leadership nothing would have been accomplished at all. Praise is not their goal, but public good, or the good of those with whom they are interacting.

These bedrocks which under-gird our lives come in all guises. They can be our grandmother's or grandfathers, a Sunday School, elementary school or high school teacher, an elderly but wise gentleman in the Church or community, or just someone who quietly goes about doing humble but deeply meaningful deeds for the good of others. I suppose that once in a blue moon one of these souls, in the process of serving as a bedrock, becomes financially wealthy or politically powerful, but I'm sure this is rare. More often they are rich in ways the world cannot measure, and when they pass from this life into the next the kind of riches they have accumulated can be taken with them into Heaven, because they are the riches which add stars to their crowns of glory in Heaven.

The bedrocks of our families, Churches and communities are people who understand the meaning of life and its brevity, and the value contained in a single day. They are the souls who know God, and know Him in a deep and meaningful, personal way. They are gentle souls, humble and kind, wise but not proud, leading but not dictating, patient and forgiving, discerning but never judging. They are souls, like King David, after God's own heart, giving in ways unseen to their family, community and the world. Our bedrocks are the few among the many who bring true humanity to the human race, who rise above pettiness, bitterness, strife, selfishness and greed, and who seem always to place others above self. They are our un-heralded sages, our unsung heroes. They are our bedrock, upon which the foundations of family, Church and community rest.

Reflect upon the bedrock members of your family, the bedrock elders of your Church, the bedrock, stalwart leaders of your community and pay them homage. Without such as these our world would certainly collapse into chaos and ruin. Hail to our humble, unadorned heroes, the only real heroes there are! And thank God for them.

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