The residents at 211 Pine Street, Mayfield, Any state, USA are more normal
than you think. They are married, have two sons, a husband who works at an
office making above middle class salary, a mom who stays home and runs the
household, and fit in very nicely with everyone they meet. They are not
outstanding at anything except for being perfectly normal, and represent an
America that I grew up in. We learned manners, how to talk to adults, the
importance of character and how it reflects on you and your family, and even
went to church to improve your self. All the things that were expected of you,
you did, and your parents dream was you go to a good college, get your degree,
get a good job, meet a nice girl and settle down. The American dream-playing
everywhere in every town in every state in the US of A, circa after WWII, the
Big One. And it was where I grew up...
The Cleavers, Ward and June, and their two sons Wallace and Theodore today
are depicted as that family, and with the dissolution of the family unit, we
fondly look back to reruns, and wish to go back to that simpler time. When malt
shops, hot rods, girls in poodle skirts, and sock hops were the big social
events. Where school counted, and in my town, it wasn’t if you were going to
college, it was which one. How were you going to make your mark on the world.
My father used to tell me “one wife, one job, one house.” And I have gone 1 for
3, an average that would get me the Hall of Fame, but not be the success that
was expected of me. We did as we were told, or better yet as to what was
expected, and if you didn’t there was cause for concern. And it reflected
directly on your parents, and no self respecting, or family expecting teen in
the early sixties would ever bring such shame to their family. Yet many of us
had our own ideas, not to disrespect, but to be ourselves....and I would have
turned out much different if I’d have left it to Beaver.
You wouldn’t be reading this today, as I would have gone to college,
graduated, and found a nice, safe secure job commuting to New York every morning
like many in my neighborhood did. I might have married a girl from a sorority,
or maybe from my home town, but never strayed any farther. I would have taken
my two weeks every summer to go on vacation with my two kids, one boy, one girl,
and then returned t a tedious world, like all my friends. I would have saved
for retirement, bought sensible sedans to ride in, and occasionally gone to
church. As it was expected of me. And at this point of my life, my house would
be paid off, my kids both graduated from college, married with kids, good jobs,
and the cycle would be continuing. Not a bad way, but not how many of us turned
out. And I am glad I didn’t.
Ward and June hated motorcycles, I would be high risk at their house. I am
a Christian, which they would think they were, or as everyone who went to church
was, but would stop short of being born again. Too radical for them. I would be
considered a rebel, and June would forbid Beaver from seeing me, “you know what
kind of boys they are, and the trouble they get into.” Wally would know guys
that rode, but never have any friends that did. Beaver might think motorcycles
were cool, but to his dying day never ride one, or on one. He would do all the
things expected of him, never quite making the grade. Wally would succeed in
life, but have a hollow place where God never fit into, too busy being normal.
Doing the right thing, making his parents happy. And proud of him. And when
considering those I know like that today, you see the desperation, the
shallowness, the emptiness of a life with Christ. How success in life is one
thing, knowing God is another. The Cleaver sons might seek silently, but always
go back to what was expected of them. And I would have lived the same life if
I’d have left it up to Beaver.
Jesus never expects us to be successful, he expects us to be faithful. To
seek him in all things, to find all we need, and all we desire from him. He
puts no pressures on us to fulfill our parents. or society’s desires, he offers
hope and a way. I never realized how trapped I was until I left home at age 21,
on my R90S, and went west. I was a new Christian, had a new and exciting world,
and disappointed many in my family. I had chosen Jesus, and to those that
didn’t I had become religious. What I had found was freedom from religion, from
being trapped in the things they were. I was free to be who I wanted to be in
Christ, and became a threat. Freedom does that, especially to those who
aren’t. But with it comes responsibility, and the more you depend on God, the
more you are spirit driven, and see things clearer. No one ever sets out to be
a failure, yet many do. In society’s eye many of us are failures, we never made
it. We are not successful. When they brag on their kids, or missionary work
doesn’t come up. We have no big homes, big salaries, or big cars. We don’t
have important friends, but are sought out by important people when they need
advice, when all their successes are not enough. We are the ones that The
Cleavers look to, but only when a problem arises. No commitments are ever made
to Christ, and they may live well here, and leave a nice estate when they die,
but go to hell. Sacrificing it all, having he world, yet not knowing the one
who created it, and gave it life.
We can learn a lot from Beaver reruns, and smile as we may think they are
corny. Christian films and shows portray the same message. Real life is much
different. Many have fallen, some from grace even, and are looking for God.
Some have real problems, and the church is either ill prepared, or tells you
“when you get it together, come back then.” The church has become like the
Cleavers, do the right things, at least the things that are seen. Jesus is much
different, he hung with bikers, hookers, druggies, tax collectors, unemployed,
unwed mothers, divorced families, and those who society deemed not successful.
He looks at the heart, right into our very spirit, and welcomes us as we are,
but doesn’t expect us to leave that way. He promises hope and a future, which
can be much different than what society demands. We are shown love and
forgiveness, peace and patience. Try that one next time a promotion comes up,
and the other guy gets it. Ward and June loved their sons, no doubt, but Jesus
shows us true love. A love called agape, the love only he can give. And which
he offers to all the residents on Pine Street, and in Mayfields everywhere.
Looking back I am glad I didn’t leave it up to Beaver, but left it up to Jesus.
I may never have riches, or valuables, but I have eternal life. I have a one to
one relationship with the creator of the universe. And I know his name, and he
knows mine. And he did it all, I have no bragging rights, except Jesus. The
world may wonder about me, God doesn’t. And I am safe and secure in my
retirement, one which no 401k can ever match. The Cleavers had the life, better
the lifestyle, only Jesus can add life. For he is the way, the only way. And
when I graduate upon death, I have my future secure and guaranteed in him. No
job interviews, I passed the test, I gave my heart and soul to him. And he
changed me!
So I leave it to Jesus. The things unseen are eternal. Jobs will change,
kids will disappoint, and wives will burn dinner. Drugs, gangs, crime, and the
government will try to change you, but don’t give in, unless it is to Jesus.
Fight the good fight, run the race to the end, for what we have we cannot take
with us, except God. All else won’t matter. So make your life matter, seek him
while he may be found, and enjoy all the things Beaver never had. A life full
of hope. Maybe even get a motorcycle. Hang out with bikers, go on a missionary
trip. Do what you do driven by the spirit instead of family and society. Be
faithful, and find success in your greeting when you die, “well done my good and
faithful servant, enter into the kingdom.” Faithful, not successful.
But in all things, life can be ironic. Bet you didn’t know The Munsters
were created by the same team that created Leave it to Beaver? And their house
was just down the street from the Cleavers? What would Ward and June say to
that? There are families, and there are families. I am glad mine is found in
God. Now about Herman and Lilly as your parents....maybe you should have just
left it to Beaver. Eddie Munster or Eddie Haskell? Maybe us Christians are
more normal than you think. By the way, I have these neighbors.....and Hugh
Beaumont was licensed as a Methodist preacher. How different it would have all
turned out if I’d have left it to Beaver. It did for Hugh...and it can for
you. Leave it to Jesus...”Hey Wally....”
love with compassion,
MIke
matthew25biker.blogspot.com