Changing Countenance

           Rudy Giuliani did some great things for New York before becoming mayor (here) and after the terrorists attacks made on the city September 11, 2009.  The media made him sound like a hero at how he handled the situation (here) but somewhere over the years that seemed to get pushed aside as the media would constantly criticize his every move because of how he supported Trump. And now he owes over 140 million dollars in damages (here) What happened? How does someone who was so admired become such a huge disappointment due to one's choices?  What made him change?  Why does anybody change?

          I do not know Rudy Giuliani personally but I do know several people who had so much going for them and made such a positive impression on those around them and yet somewhere along the way their light went out and their hearts are blackened.  Why would they choose to misery?  Are they so far gone that they have forgotten what they once had?  Would sending Ghosts to them during Christmas even make a difference?

          I suppose it works the other way.  There are people who have wreaked havoc so much of their life before they make the change to service of others and transforming from the curmudgeon Scrooge to the repented Scrooge.  You can see their countenance.   

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others" – Mahatma Gandhi

 

Word: What’s an Ebenezer?

The only association I remember having with the name “Ebenezer” was the character Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol”.  Thus when I saw that word in “Come Thy Fount” (here) I questioned its meaning.

I have looked up the word and have done some research as to why the Hebrew word Ebenezer translates into “stone of help”.  Evidently, it has something to do with the ark of the covenant and the gratitude of the Israelites who had lost but gained back into custody.  Samuel evidently raised a stone as a symbolic gesture.  This was done in recognition of receiving assistance from God.

Then I questioned what might have possessed Charles Dickens to give his character that same name.  Was it because Scrooge had the feeling of a stone?  He didn’t appear to be at all helpful to anyone in the beginning of the story. 

According to the Mierriam-Webster the word Ebenezer (which generally is capitalized) has two meanings.  The first is a commemoration of divine assistance.  The second is Anger and Temper.  That would describe Ebenezer Scrooge in the beginning. 

Interesting . . .