The Cracked Acorn: Skakertown

You may not know where Shakertown, Kentucky is; I do. Before the new four-lane from Bowling Green to Russellville was completed, I passed by there on my way to visit my parents at Auburn.

Shakertown, presently a monastery, consists of several dormitory-type dwellings, built by the Shakers of the late 1800s. They took in orphans left on the doorstep and lived the simple life. My
father recalled seeing the young girls working in the fields. The settlement was destroyed by a summer twister many years ago.

(Ann Lee (29 February 1736 – 8 September 1784), commonly known as Mother Ann Lee, was the founding leader of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, or the Shakers.)

Now you can drive by and see the monks walking the “Stations of the Cross.”

What touched my thoughts was an internet obituary from the local newspaper: Father Kenneth Frye, 47, of South Union (Shakertown) had passed and is to be buried in the Fathers of Mercy Cemetery. (I could have seen Kenneth, devoted to his walks, on my trips.)

The faithful of the Shakers are gone and now other faithful have replaced them, and they, too are going to their rest.

How far have we come since Jesus bowed his head and said “It is finished.” Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit, wrote that “wolves would enter, not sparing the flock.” (Acts 20:39) In the number of years since these words were written, many religions and denominations have sprung up with their believers working hard to convert the world to their interpretation of the easy Word of God.

So, Kenneth Frye, a follower of Catholicism, rest in peace. You were faithful to your belief and because of it, you denied yourself of a family, a father of your children, and a wife who would have loved you every day. Was it worth it?

What have we denied following the Cross of Jesus?

Are we seriously treading the narrow road of the old paths of the prophets and Godly people of the Bible?

Till HE comes,
I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS,
NO TURNING BACK! NO TURNING BACK!