MY SHIFTING PEARL HARBOR WATERS

MY SHIFTING PEARL HARBOR WATERS

Thursday, December 07, 2017

James 3:11-13 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

    I well remember Evergreen Avenue on that “day of infamy”. Clusters of neighbors outside their homes weeping, confused, angrily discussing the horrific Pearl Harbor surprise attack in hushed tones as we children strained to get closer to hear, but were shushed away. It was not a secret very long as starred banners, a few golden, began appearing in windows and our schoolteachers began collecting for War Bonds every morning after Bible reading and prayers. The neighborhood became more matriarchal as the men enlisted or were drafted. Women became replacement workers for jobs vacated by men. We children did our part gathering scrap metal and other needed materials. Though definitely not from my family, for they taught against hatred, I also learned to despise “The dirty slant-eye Japs!” It was through a cultural campaign by the government with involvement of the entertainment industry. Saturday morning movie time included hate propaganda cartoons for we little boys and girls. We boys argued over who would be the Japs in our war games.

  Then being a natural fellow without personal resurrection (Jn.3:3; Eph.2:1-10) I gleefully embraced the rancor dear to unregenerate men; I hoped our military forces would totally annihilate the Japanese nation. (However, as with most Americans, to only conquer and correct the Germans and Italians and our other white enemies.) After surrender when American forces occupied Japan, I, along with many others resented General MacArthur’s compassion in rebuilding their nation.

  After trusting Lord Jesus Christ and beginning to follow Him, malice diminished as His love displaced it. For this I thank Him this December 7^th memorial day.

EBB4