A Daughter’s Remembrance

Preaching a funeral sermon is never easy, but preaching the homily for one’s father would induce dread to many, never mind having a dad with the stature of the Rev. Dr. Robert J. Marshall (see Jan. 6 post). But moved by the Spirit of God and consistent with her dad’s inspiring leadership, the Rev. Margaret Niederer offered this illustration during her sermon on 3 January 2009 in Burlington, IA.

In Tony Buzan’s book, “The Power of Verbal Intelligence,” there is a wonderful example of the potential of one’s life. He tells the story of the origin of the Suzuki method – a method that helps millions of children learn to play the violin. …During his life, Suzuki had two profound, significant insights – the first was when he visited a building that served as an incubator for thousands of Japanese songbirds – larks. The breeders were taking the eggs and incubating them in giant, warm, silent hallways that functioned as giant nests. The only sound the hatchlings would hear is the song of an adult lark – an adult lark with high quality singing ability.

Suzuki noticed that every little chick that hatched would copy the master, singer lark. Even more remarkable was – that after a few days – each chick that had started life by purely copying the master lark – began to develop its own variations. The breeders learned of the potential in each chick that was born. They waited for each chick to develop its own style and then selected the next master lark from the newly hatched chicks.

This observation led Suzuki to his next revelation: …Each new life holds untapped potential - each life receiving specific God-given gifts.

Marshall’s mark on his family and on LWR may be just that: a nurturing environment centered in Jesus Christ, richly blessing every human person, accompanying others, all the way around the world, to uniquely develop their farms and funds and their own families to their fullest potential.

Photo: John and Pr. Margaret Niederer at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Leonia, N.J.