Yes, I grew up on a different planet. A planet on which the early foundations of my life continued to form. We began each morning at Dalmeny Elementary by singing Oh Canada. Then the teacher read a story from the Bible. At the end of each day we sang God Save the Queen. The first two grades were combined in one classroom with one teacher.

My mother worked long hours in our store with my dad, so in first grade she hired an older girl to help me learn to read. I learned quickly with her help. I knew Mommy was not happy with my first grade teacher because she did not teach me to read. One day I figured out that I could think bad things about her and she would never know. Suddenly to my surprise and shame, she looked straight at me and asked, “MarJean, are you mad at me?” I learned that my face could betray my ugly thoughts!

A girl seated at the back of the second grade side of the room was a really good artist. One day I walked behind her desk to look at her picture and I told her how beautiful it was. Then, pointing to my own picture, I told her mine was not very good, hoping she would return my compliment. Instead, she agreed with me. Psychology lesson 101— When you fish for a compliment by saying something negative about yourself, that “fish” can slap you in the face!

A beautiful blue budgie bird came to live with us on my sixth birthday. We trimmed her wings and I made little houses from shoe boxes and cut windows and doors for her to go in and out. However, her wings grew back and one day she flew up and disappeared completely. I looked everywhere but couldn’t find her. So I knelt down by my bed, folded my hands, closed my eyes, and prayed earnestly to Jesus to help me find my bird. When I opened my eyes, there, right in front of me on my bed, stood my bird! I knew beyond doubt that God heard and answered my prayer!

Christmas Day after my seventh birthday, most of our relatives gathered at my grandparent’s home in Dalmeny. Being the second youngest boy of twelve siblings, my Dad’s relatives filled the house. At some point, I heard a conversation about becoming a Christian. That Christmas Night, God’s Spirit drew me to Himself, so I asked one of my cousins to come with me into Gramma’s bedroom. We knelt by Gramma’s bed and I asked Jesus to forgive my sins and come into my heart—and He did!

As if I had not spent enough time in hospitals, my tonsils and adenoids became inflamed that winter so out they came. I remember the doctor telling me to blow away the bad ether smell. So I took a big breath to blow it way and immediately the room spun into a tunnel. I awoke very sick and nauseous. Once home I needed to lay still, so I got to watch Disney’s Dumbo on our small black and white television, but felt too sick to keep watching. A few days later company came over and I felt better so I ran and played with the children. However, my nose began to bleed until it came out of my mouth. I still remember the fast ride back to the hospital that night. The hemorrhage finally stopped and we came home and life went on.

One spring day my teacher asked us to pass our papers to the person behind us for grading. I understood her to say, “Draw a lion beside every right answer.” I already loved to draw so I quickly drew a lion’s mane and face beside the first right answer. The teacher read the next answer and the next and I could not possibly draw lions that fast! I panicked and raised my hand. The child in front of me turned around and exclaimed, “She’s drawing on my paper!” The children immediately gathered around me with the teacher who said, “No, MarJean! I said a line, not a lion.” Snickers even from second graders can leave a lasting impression of feeling really, really stupid!

Second grade also brought success. All the district schools came together for an oratory competition for grades one through eight. My mother had taught public speaking and English in Dalmeny Bible School when she met my Dad, so she taught me a poem called, The Little Elf. I barely remember reciting it before the large crowd, but I clearly remember walking home hand in hand with my mother, knowing that she was very proud of me. The small silver trophy I received for first place gets polished maybe once every five to ten years, but still serves to remind me that I was capable of doing something valuable.

I may have grown up on a different planet, but the lessons are the same: Our faces reveal what is in our hearts; Putting ourselves down to be affirmed can backfire; God hears and answers our prayers at just the right time; We all need Jesus to come into our hearts and forgive our sins; Life is fragile; Feeling stupid hurts; Feeling valued heals.

“. . . being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6