May 17, 2009
As someone who worries a lot, I like being around Freddie. Fred has a “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” disposition on life that I wish I had. When we were in Thailand in 2006 and we asked Freddie to serve as our bursar to pay the bills and to even dole out lumps of bahts to pay for our daily meals, Fred always said, “Don’t worry, we still have lots of money!” That’s true when one of our lunches literally costs 25 cents each!
During the years that I have worked with Freddie on CONFAB and he was again the accountant for us, he never discouraged us from spending the money in the checking account. He reminded us that it was there to spend—don’t worry. We have enough. It was incredible that CONFAB went on a Mexican Riviera Cruise, pay all of our bills and we still had money in the CONFAB checking account. I was happy to see that.
There is much in life that can cause us to worry. The disciples worried about what to drink, what to wear, where to live. Jesus said to them, “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Mathew 6:25ff.)
Fred knows that God is providing all the things he need and for these 72 wonderful years, Fred strives first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and he knows that all these things on earth will be given to him as well. As Carolyn said, “Gifts, do not bring, Fred does not need one more thing.”
I like being around Freddie because he reminds me to not worry but instead to strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all the things that I need on earth will be given to me. Freddie, even your name sounds carefree with no worries!
Fred, may this birthday be worry-free and continue to trust God with your life. Jesus said, “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” But for you, Freddie Hee, I like being around you because you teach all of us and especially to me, to not worry, but be happy in the Lord.
DN