I Corinthians 13 – Love Does Not Boast
Ron continues his love series from I Corinthians 13 with a post entitled, “Love Does Not Boast.” In this series, Ron breaks down I Corinthians 13:4-7 into easily understood segments by using a selection of “love” themed short stories. This post introduces us to The Arthur Somerton, the famous author.”
Read Part 1 here.
A Party Introduction
The party was hardly a boisterous affair. Yet for someone who leans to the introvert end of the scale, there were too many people in the room. My friend, Lorenda, saw my discomfort and, grabbing me by the hand, virtually dragged me toward a well-dressed, cultured looking fellow. As we approached, he greeted Lorenda, who in turn introduced me to Arthur Somerton.
“Tell Arthur about your book,” she said as she turned to join a group of people who were chatting and laughing rather more uproariously than I found comfortable.
Arthur looked at me warmly with one of those smiles that crinkles the eyes as well as lifts the corners of the mouth. “So you’re a writer?” he asked.
“I guess so,” I said. “I’ve just published my first book — a memoir.”
“Your own?” he asked.
“No, my grandfather’s.”
Grandpa’s Memoir
“How did you go about writing it?” He expressed genuine interest.
“Grandpa’s very old now, but he’s still quite sharp. I based the book on interviews that I recorded with him over the last year or so. It’s the story of his emigrating to Canada from Belgium in 1946.”
“What was your grandfather like?”
“He was a real go getter,” I said. “He worked his way over, as he puts it, as a ‘galley slave.’ He worked in the kitchen of an ocean liner. After making his way to Toronto, he opened a small restaurant which grew into a major establishment, with a couple of satellite locations.”
“He must have had money to be able to do that.” I couldn’t quite tell whether Arthur was making a statement or asking a question.
“No, but he made a favourable connection. On the ship, he met a soldier named George. During the war, George had sought refuge for a few days in a Belgian farmhouse. It turned out that my grandfather knew the family that had given him aid and so when George found out that my grandfather was starting fresh in Canada, he bankrolled his business startup, out of gratitude for the kindness he’d experienced in Belgium two years earlier.”
Love Does Not Boast – I Corinthians 13
With more prodding and probing, Arthur Somerton drew out the whole tale. I felt comfortable with him and was just a little flattered by his interest in my first writing endeavour. I spent most of the evening with my new friend.
A couple of days later I bumped into Lorenda again. “So did you and Arthur have a good time?” she asked.
“Well I enjoyed talking to him. He expressed curiosity about my grandfather and the book I wrote about him. He told me he’s quite a reader and that he would look for a copy at his favourite bookstore.”
“Arthur Somerton’s going to read your book?” she asked incredulously.
“He said he would look for it.”
“Do you know who Arthur Somerton is?” she asked.
“The name rings a bell, but I can’t place him.”
“You were talking to Arthur Somerton, the author. He’s written a dozen books and frequently has articles in the best literary journals.”
My face blanched. “Are you serious? Was I really talking to the Arthur Somerton?”
“Yes you were. I thought he’d tell you about his work when you told him that you’d tried your hand at writing. He didn’t tell you anything about what he was doing?”
“No. He kept me busy talking about my project. I had no idea he was Arthur Somerton, the author.”
Lorenda smiled sympathetically. “I’m not really surprised, to tell the truth. Arthur Somerton is one of the most humble, loving men you’ll ever meet.”
“Now that you mention it, I think you’re right. I suspect that he sensed that I needed rescuing at the party and kept me safely engaged in one-on-one conversation.
“You’re probably right. I’ve known Arthur for a long time and he hardly ever talks about himself or his work in that kind of a social setting.”
“You said that he was a very humble, loving man. If that really was Arthur Somerton the author, and I believe you, I’d have to agree with you. I can’t believe someone of his stature spent an entire evening with me and never talked about himself. He personifies the old proverb ‘love does not boast.’”
“You’re right about that. Someday I’ll arrange for you to meet him so you can ask him a few questions. I think he’d talk to you if you asked him.”
Do you have trouble with boasting? How do you deal with it? Contact us– we’d love to hear from you!
Ron Hughes
Ron Hughes is the former President of FBH International He developed his interest in technology and mass communications during his highschool years in Peterborough, Ontario.
He received a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in Radio and Television Arts from Ryerson University where he graduated as the program’s “outstanding graduate.” He gained experience working in both commercial and cultural radio stations in Southern Ontario as well as engaging in freelance production.
In 1983, he and his wife, Debbie, moved to Ecuador where they served as missionaries for 10 years. There, Ron produced radio specials and numerous music albums as well as several videos. Some of these videos were the first ever produced in Ecuador’s major indigenous languages. In 1993, the Hughes family returned to Canada at the invitation of FBH International (then Family Bible Hour) and oversaw the ministry for many years.
More Podcasts Below:
More Blogs
To Tell the Truth – Honesty is the Best Policy
Images courtesy of:
Smiling Man – Murat Cokal
Map of Belgium – Krzysztof
Love Does Not Boast – Keramark Solutions
Leave a Reply