Life Outside the Cage

They don’t live in America. Few of us have ever met them. So why all the hoopla? Why are we intrigued or excited at the marriage of Prince William and Kate?

As little girls we sat glued to the television watching Cinderella over and over until our parents begged us to discover a new fascination. We envisioned ourselves as Cinderella attending the ball, locating our soul mate, and marrying the handsome prince. We wanted to ride in that carriage. We prayed we would meet our Prince Charming and live happily ever after.

Tucked in our hearts and minds resides a love for a royal wedding. When we consider a prince marrying a common girl at Westminster Abbey, departing the church in a royal carriage, and waving from the palace balcony, we are enchanted with the pomp and circumstance. Our memories of Cinderella come flooding back, and we find ourselves as adult women longing for a glimpse of happily ever after.

My royal wedding is coming someday. I am filled with anticipation of riding in the fancy carriage with Jesus.

Good Friday sounds like an oxymoron, a figure of speech emphasizing two contradictory words. According to the English language “good” means something useful or desirable, so why would Christ’s death on the Cross be considered “good?”

When we reflect on crucifixion day, we envision:

-The terrified, fleeing disciples
-A heartbroken, grieving mother
-A confessing, repentant thief
-The callous, lot-casting soldiers
-The mocking, inflictive crowd

We hear the sounds of that afternoon:

-Steady thumping of the hammer
-Taunts bellowed at the dying men
-Whispered final words of Jesus
-Thunder rumbling across the ground
-Ripping of the veil of the Holy of Holies

One of my favorite songs expresses, “By faith our fathers roamed the earth with the power of His promise in their hearts.” Either it’s the history teacher in me or my patriotic spirit or my love of family, but those words state perfectly my appreciation for all my relatives who traversed this country before I was even on the horizon.

1. John Siner Sr. experienced Valley Forge with George Washington and crossed the icy Delaware.

2. James Eakin was a member of one of the regiments stationed with General Lee when he surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Couthouse to end the Civil War.

3. Pierre Faure, exiled from France because of his religious beliefs, sailed to America with his widowed mother and brothers to begin King William Parish Episcopal Church.

4. Isaac Parkins became a great Quaker leader in his community running 2 mills, hosting weddings at his home, serving in the legislature, and providing supplies to the soldiers fighting the American Revolution.

5. John Clarke joined the second supply ship heading to Jamestown in 1608 only to encounter the terrible conditions and starvation in the colony.

My family paraded across the Pacific Ocean from Wales, England, Germany, Scotland, France, Ireland, and Holland. We find no relative that arrived later than 1726 upon the shores of this new country.

Deuteronomy 7:9 states: Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

I envision myself in that promise. My ancestors, faithful to God and keeping His commands, showered blessings and favor upon me. I am one of the children of the thousand generations.

So, as I peruse the names on my genealogical chart, I thank them for their impact on my life. They never knew me, but they are part of the tapestry of who I am, and part of the fabric of America.