The
lady astronaut began, “Thanks ladies for inviting me. I’ve got
some really exciting things to tell you, so let’s get started. I
want first to begin with a story that might be somewhat like your
world." Jenny began the story:
Sewing
Machine Lifesaver
I’m
trapped! I’m in a cage and can’t get out Lois sat in
front of her machine in high school sewing class. For two weeks now,
she and her class were learning to sew pockets on pants, dresses, and
shirts. They learned to use all types of thread and material taking
careful note which was best for what kinds of uses. But she thought
she would go mad.
Lois
ached within herself to do something important. Though her hands
would position the material, and carefully guide it through the
sewing machine, she felt so useless, so insignificant. Her mind would
continually place her at important jobs like writing speeches for
famous people, helping a scientist invent a new medicine, or create a
gown to be worn by some movie star.
But
the last couple nights were worse yet. After bedtime prayer she had
cried hoping to get some relief from the feelings of “I’m a
nobody that can sew pockets.” On Saturday, at her mom’s request,
Lois took her younger brother Timmy to the science museum to see some
new exhibits he needed to look at for a school report.
The
most popular exhibit was a person wearing one of the actual space
suits worn on one of the Apollo moon landings. His helper explained
the purpose of all the many hoses, fixtures, and valves to the
children as Lois stood back and watched all the attention. The
children got down on their knees to better see something the helper
was describing about the suit that was below the backpack. Lois moved
in closer to listen.
The
helper said, “See that little pocket? It isn’t used for anything
anymore but it is still attached to every new suit that is crafted.
And children, know what? If that pocket isn’t sewn on with the
greatest of care, the suit will loose pressure during a space walk
and kill the astronaut. That astronaut’s life depends on the best
efforts of someone with a sewing machine he or she has never seen, or
the work that was done.” Lois pulled out a handkerchief and headed
for a dark corner before anyone saw her tears. In sewing class could
she ever have imagined that a pocket could save a life?
The
whole matter of insignificance was reinforced two weeks later when
Lois’ youth pastor shared a message from Matthew 25. The message
included the parable of the talents. The weight in Lois’ heart was
lifted when she heard the pastor read, “thou has been faithful over
a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou
into the joy of thy lord.”
Two
verses later, the same statement was made to another faithful
steward. Even at that moment she thanked God for the comfort that
comes from knowing she is saved and from scripture showing us how we
can have everlasting joy.
Just
after bedtime prayer that night, she pictured herself sewing a pocket
on the robe of her Savior, Jesus Christ. How important that would be.
Serving God with her talents. But she knew the job was not finished.
In this picture, Lois took her heart and placed it in the pocket of
the Lord’s robe.
(end
of story)
Jenny
paused for a couple quiet moments to let the moral of the story sink
in.
The
girls in the group expected Jenny the astronaut to pull out some
scientific tools used in space exploration, but she surprised
everyone by opening a well worn bible in front of them. She told the
girls about two actual lady lifesavers listed in scripture. One was a
chilling spy adventure where God’s men were smuggled out of town by
a woman named Rahab. (The whole account is spelled out in Joshua
chapter 2.)
The
other account is about a woman that put her very life on the line to
save the whole nation of God’s people, the Jews. Her name was Queen
Esther. The whole truth of treachery and greed is detailed in the Old
Testament book of Esther.
Jenny
said, “Girls, I want to make it very clear to you that many people
think that computer work is really a man thing; it’s pretty much
for boys and certainly not for girls. Well God doesn’t see it that
way at all. Let me give you a little computer trivia.
- The first computer program was conceived and created by Ada Byron Lovelace
- The first computer language was created by Navy Admiral Grace Hopper.
- Computing Ergonomics owes much to the pioneering research of Joan Winters and her human factors and software appraisal tools.
- Our telephone computerized switching equipment, we can’t live without was invented by Erma Schneider Hoover.
- The African-American Evelyn Boyd Granville developed the computer programs to analyze the trajectories of the Mercury capsule (1st US manned space program) and Apollo that landed man on the moon.
- Adele Goldstine authored the manual for the world’s 1st electronic digital computer, ENIAC, (17,480 vacuum tubes) right down to the resisters.
- The Graphical Calculator (computer) used in solving electrical power line problems was patented by Edith Clark.
Jenny
continued giving the young ladies some of their roots that were
imbedded in technology. “I tell you all this to make you wise in
the range of opportunities to serve Jesus Christ. I ask you,
- who made the stars?
- Who made the earth in 6 days and rested?
- Who do we have to thank for our Bibles in our own language?
- Who loves us more than words can tell?
- Who had to SHOW us what real love is?”
Jenny
Laughton’s questions continued to lead the thinking of the young
ladies
- She then asked, “Well…ok…Who gave us computers, rockets, and technology?
In John chapter 1 of this precious book I hold here, tells us more than
once exactly Who that is. - Was it just to gather moon rocks?
- Who is THE ROCK the Bible speaks of? She turned a few pages and read:
In
God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my
refuge, is in God. Psalms 62:7
Let
me read it again. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of
my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Psalms 62:7
Girls
this verse starts and ends with the very same three words, ‘in,
God, and is.’ These three words are just like two loving hands of a
parent that hold you and care about every part of your growing. Look
what’s between those hands, in this verse:
- Refuge – is a hiding place in times we feel afraid or confused.
- Strength – the power to get things done for Him
- Glory – We are commanded often to brag about Him above all else.
- Salvation – He has adopted us away from an eternal future
in the pits of hell with Satan and his angels.
Ladies.
Whether God calls you to reach into the stars or greater yet, reach
into the hearts of those nearest to you, launch out only with God’s
leading that we so often learn from His precious word each day.
Jenny’s
finger quickly found the bookmark she had turned to so many times. As
she opened to John 3:16. she said, “As Pastor Dean comes to the
front and stands with me, I want to read this powerful verse to you
right now.” She read,
For
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life.
Jenny
asked, “Do you hear that word ‘whosoever’? That word means you
can substitute your name in place of it. It means that if you were
the only person on the face of this planet or any other, Jesus still
would have left heaven to shed His blood on the cross like a
sacrificial lamb for your sins. The reason is that God loves you more
than you can describe. He loves you just as you are. Right now is a
perfect time for you to show Him that you want Him to be your rock
and let Him be your leader and Lord.”
The
invitation to the young ladies right there in Junior Jericho
continued. The girls bowed their heads as Pastor Dean explained a bit
more about sin and its consequences.
Avery
moved toward Pastor Dean and put her head against his chest and began
to cry. And why not? It’s not every day you learn that Someone
loves you; I mean REALLY loves you and wants to treat you as very
special in His life. Granny Simms was standing in the back of the
room and softly walked toward Avery and led her to kneel at one of
the straw bales…
How
about you? As you read these words, have you made Him your Rock of
Salvation, strength, glory, and refuge?
