Torch, Winter 1990

problems do surface and require his focus. "If you build a wall of positivism around you, you almost become unap– proachable. Soon family members and co-workers no longer bring you their problems or bad news. This is not good for me or for those I love and respect. Though this positive approach to life has much value, it is only in recent years that I discovered the difficulties this created for others." SERVING THEIR GENERATION TODAY Pat had Psalm 37:23 engraved inside her husband's wedding band: "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way." Today Paul Dixon delights in the way God has led them. "We are in constant awe that God would give us this ministry," he says. "I have always maintained that the world will never be won to Christ from the pulpit alone, but from both the pulpit and the pew. That's what we are doing at Cedarville--training future business people, teachers, lawyers, doctors , nurses, engineers, homemakers, as well as pastors and missionaries, to reach their world with the Gospel." The Dixons are also serving in a new role as grandparents. Both Scott and his wife Sara (Beattie) are Cedarville graduates. After Scott graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary, they , along with sons Andrew Paul, 3, and Benjamin Robert, 10 months, moved to Cedarville where Scott is on the faculty at the college for this academic year. Are Grandpa and Grandma Dixon as strict as they were as parents? "We 're more bendable," is their transparent reply. Paul and Pat are learning not to expect their son and daughter-in-law to raise their children exactly the way they raised Scott. Paul observes, "Scott and Sara are going to build their own family in their own way. That' s fine . Pat and I shouldn 't have anything to say about that." Pat added, "I think sons and daughters always reflect upon their own families' strong and weak points and decide what they 'll carry over into their respective marriages. Every generation becomes stronger that way, improving upon past strengths and mistakes." The Dixons see themselves as serving one another in an even more special way now that Scott is on his own. They will celebrate 30 years of marriage in August. "This is quite a milestone in this day and age, and by God's grace it has been a growing relationship," Paul remarks. "Today, we are closer than ever," he continues, "and I just marvel at Pat' s gifts. She probably has more ability in more areas than any person I have ever met. She is talented musically and artistically and has many varied inter– ests. From our first small apartment to our present home, she has carefully made them lovely, warm homes in which to live and to entertain. More– over, she is an excellent communicator and was named 'Teacher of the Year' in Chattanooga before coming to Cedarville. "Yet with all this talent, Pat has always sacrificed her interests for mine and Scott' s. At no time have I ever felt that her professional life was more important to her than her family and home. In fact, her real strength is her love and consideration of people. "Moreover, Pat is a person of integrity, very honest, very genuine, and I'm so grateful to God for that." "Paul began dating me when he was 18 and I was 16," Pat recalls. "We were married three and one-half years later. Over the years he has been so loving, considerate, and sensitive to my needs. It's important for couples to discuss how they are meeting each other's needs. I wish each couple would evaluate this after their first, fifth , tenth, twentieth, thirtieth year, and beyond. I wish we had done this consistently throughout those early years." Paul believes that being a family is a perfecting process. He and Pat, like other Christian couples, struggle to be faithful with their family devotions , try not to take each other for granted, and want to be sensitive to the needs of their aging parents. Because they live and work in a small community, they understand that their lives are under constant scrutiny. " If I were to fail morally," says Paul, "I believe it would be devastating to my family and to my role of leadership in the cause of Christ at the college, in our church, and even across the nation among the people who know me." So the Dixons are not perfect; they are only being perfected through the grace of God. In the midst of this process they see themselves observing several key principles. "We take our Christianity very seriously when it comes to living out what we have been teaching and preaching for 30 years. We work at pleasing our Lord every day that He gives us. Yet, I hope our family's Chris– tianity is not an unreasonable, austere brand. Being a Christian family should be fun . "Pat and I are having more fun now than at any time in our lives. We now have more opportunity to do things together such as designing and planning our new home. There is more travel together. We have the joy of being with our grandchildren. I am excited each day as I come to the college, knowing that my work is building into the lives of college students. And I am able to preach the Gospel on many weekends at churches, camps, conferences, and chapels for professional sports teams. Truly, God has given us a phenomenal ministry . "Both Pat and I are deeply grateful to those who have had such a positive influence on us personally and on our family. These include parents, sisters, and other relatives. We remember with appreciation the input of long-time friends , teachers, college professors, and pastors. Without a doubt, the Dixons have grown through the encour– agement of many individuals. Most of all we praise our Lord Jesus Christ for His saving grace and day-by-day enablement." • The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, 0 Lord, endureth forever: forsake not the works of thine own hands . Psalm 38:8