We live in the incredible age of the Millennials. Notice I didn't say the Millennium, the Kingdom Age, the thousand year reign of Christ upon the earth (Revelation 20:4-6). That comes a little later. We must finish out the Age of Grace followed by the Rapture of the Church, and then there is the seven years of Tribulation, after which Satan is bound in the abyss, and the Church will rejoice for a thousand years with Jesus "seated upon the throne of His Father David." Inconceivable? Read it for yourself. There is so much to ponder between those lines.
Back to the present, a little slice of time in this Dispensation of Grace when we have produced a generation of what the culture has dubbed Millennials. We who are of the Silent Generation sometimes find it difficult to "get" this concept. We grew up with party-line telephones, a three digit number, and a real live operator. I probably never heard of a passcode unless it was on the Chocolate Flavored Ovaltine can and definitely never a computer. These darlings live and breathe with a phone, a pad, a tablet, a laptop, all of which are computerized. If I need help, I just take my iPhone (which I love and appreciate, given to me by my four children, two of which are X'ers, two of which are Boomers) to AT&T and they do whatever I need, give me a couple of quick tips and never complain that I am totally illiterate when it comes to a cell phone. Did you ever notice those guys would rather "fix it" than try to explain something to a non-Millennial? But I was born in 1940. I'm not expected to know those things.
Someone once said "worldly wisdom without Jesus is half knowledge." I say that without Jesus in your life, there is very little true knowledge anyway and no wisdom at all. Proverbs 4:7 says, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." Solomon in his "wisdom collection" gives strong advice concerning life. Over and over his cry is that our young sons and daughters seek after wisdom and avoid the snare and folly of wickedness.
a little Treasure from the Philippines.
Strange how it all happened,
but glorious when you think about it.
It was love at first sight for all of us. And, yes, she's a Millennial. Smart, skilled, educated, talented and the sweetest Pearl of the Pacific. She is not subdued or restricted by the generations that passed before her. She gives extended meaning to critical thinking, and she will not stop in pursuit of the day she reaches the conclusion that will give her peace and satisfaction; then she leans into it and gives it all she's got. Figuratively speaking, she not only wraps herself in tapestry of purple, she weaves the fabric with which to do it. We could not have picked a more precious treasure for our son, Peter, and after a few years, she gave birth to our Baby Asher Stone.All of my publishing coordinators and assistants reside in the Philippines and I learned to love them for their remarkable talent and understanding of their chosen profession. I needed them; they needed me—and my manuscripts. They're all Millennials, born in that strange era when young people have this uncanny knowledge and a skillset that knocks your socks off.
I say that to say... we had to wait a year for our Rhylenne, lovingly called Apple by her father from birth. And every time I would speak with my publishing consultants, their voices reminded me of her and the Pacific Island where she lived her whole life before coming to America. And then one day she arrived and I got to lay eyes on her for the first time. Our lives are changed since she joined this family. She has taught us much. She taught us that not all Millennials are alike. She is different. She knows and loves Jesus and she lives the Proverbs 31 exemplary life of the woman who made this chapter stand out in the history of women. Mind you, Rhylenne has all the superwoman qualities of a Millennial, but, here! Read between the lines of this beautiful poetry and align it with the characteristics of a Millennial woman and you will see our lovely Pacific Island girl whom we love so much. I challenge you to exegete this and find a Millennial Gem. You may look at your daughters in a different light, and you may "rejoice in time to come" if you have taught them the beautiful side of being a Millennial.
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| Vonn Rhylenne (Apple) Guzman Gaddy |
Who can find a virtuous woman?
For her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely
trust in her, so that he should have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchants' ships;
she brings her food from afar.
she brings her food from afar.
She rises also while it is yet night, and
gives meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She considers a field, and buys it:
with the fruit of her hand she plants a vineyard.
She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.
She perceives that her merchandise is good;
Her candle goes not out by night.
She lays her hands to the spindle,
and her hands hold the distaff.
and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretches her hand to the poor;
Yea she reaches forth her hand to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household;
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She makes herself coverings of tapestry;
Her clothing is silk and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes fine linen and sells it;
And delivers girdles to the merchant.
Strength and honor are her clothing;
and she shall rejoice in time to come.
I left the Pearl of the Orient
and made my home in the Land of the Free.
The Philippines is my home town
but America is my home.
God Bless America!
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