November 28, 2022 – In: Grief And Sorrow
Don’t destroy yourself by getting drunk, but let the Spirit fill your life. (Eph 5:18)
I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. “Laughter,” I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?” I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives. (Eccl 2:1-3, NIV)
Whenever the subject of to drink, or not to drink comes up, especially during the holidays, I share the following story in poem form. It is a true story, from my life when I was a young child. I have changed the name, and a few other details for privacy reasons.
My First Girlfriend “Mary”
A true story by David T Battler
Be sober when you have the steering wheel in your hand
You’ll be sure to save lives across the land
You’ll do no good if you drive and drink..
You can’t be fast enough, you cannot think
Oh yes, you’re happy. You’re at the party
Time to go home, you feel so hearty
Who do you love when you drive and drink?
When you drink and drive – what do you think?
It could be over in a hard, fast minute!
Then, tomorrow, without you in it!
Be sober when you have the steering wheel in your hand
You’ll be sure to save life across the land.
Now one man said: “I’m quite sober enough!”
Why, I can drive, and drink this stuff!”
Who does he love when he drives with a drink?
When he drinks and drives; what does he think?
As he risks a life that’s not his to take:
He drinks and cannot stop the mistake!
Now the party is over; he’s on his way
Barreling down the town’s main highway
Where a 10 year old girl walked with a happy sway
She just bought a present for Daddy’s birthday
The little girl near danced – so happy did she feel
When along came a car, with a drunk behind the wheel!
Well, the drunk man saw her pretty soon
And he let out a drunkard sound
Yelling “Get out of my way you little goon!”
And he hit her with a pound…
The bumper struck the little girl…taking her breath away
Her broken body, in a pool of blood, by the ditch lay.
The drunk tore out of his car to see the damage and slaughter
And let out a wail as he recognized his own, dying daughter!
And the little girl whispered: “Daddy…w…w…why???”
Daddy yelled: “O Mary…don’t die!”
But, her eyes were fixed with fright;
as she clutched her little parcel tight;
and she breathed no more.
The tears continue to pour.
Be sober when you have the steering wheel in your hand
You’ll be sure to save lives across the land
The tears are still pouring
The parties still roaring.
It was so hard for me to forgive God for this.
I really loved that girl, even though I was only 10.
Little Mary is one of a very long, and fast growing list;
Now, what if your life had such a twist?
It could be over in a hard, fast minute,
Then tomorrow, without you in it!
Or without someone else you love.
Grape Juice Only Isa 5:11 Isa 65:8-9 Prov 20:1 Prov 23:29-35 Eph 5:18 Rev 21:7-8
By David T Battler (permission given to copy and use freely for non-profit only).
“Beverage-loving, liquor-drinking people may be seen everywhere. Their intellect is enfeebled, their moral powers are weakened, their sensibilities are benumbed, and the claims of God and heaven are not realized, eternal things are not appreciated. The Bible declares that no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 4T.030.003
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”(1 Cor 6:9-10)
It isn’t smart to get drunk! Drinking makes a fool of you and leads to fights. (Prov 20:1)
THE EVILS THAT BESET OUR PATH
(words by John Newton, 1725–1807)
The evils that beset our path
Who can prevent or cure?
We stand upon the brink of death
When most we seem secure.
If we today sweet peace possess,
It soon may be withdrawn;
Some change may plunge us in distress,
Before tomorrow’s dawn.
Disease and pain invade our health
And find an easy prey;
And oft, when least expected, wealth
Takes wings and flies away.
A fever or a blow can shake
Our wisdom’s boasted rule;
And of the brightest genius make
A madman or a fool.
The gourds, from which we look for fruit,
Produce us only pain;
A worm unseen attacks the root,
And all our hopes are vain.
I pity those who seek no more
Than such a world can give;
Wretched they are, and blind, and poor,
And dying while they live.
Since sin has filled the earth with woe,
And creatures fade and die;
Lord wean our hearts from things below,
And fix our hopes on high.