It sure has been a while since we last spoke, or I blogged and you read my writings, “Oh you know what I mean”. It seems like forever ago. I sat down in my office at my computer and I have some time that I haven’t had in about six months. It really seems weird or different somehow because it feels like I’ve been on a trip and have just returned. It feels like I went to sleep and woke up and now I’m back in reality. It really feels strange. I love my daughter Melissa and our son in law Josh so much . They are the ones that must feel like they have been in a cave somewhere and all of a sudden walked out and here we are again. Savannah our granddaughter… what can I say about her? She is super fantastic in every way, what a blessing to have her in our lives. I just like to look at her and stare; watch her every movement and then just enjoy her affection to “Pap Paw.” She can have anything she wants!!! (Right now, anyway!)When I wake up from this last six months I am thankful for my wonderful church family. No one has been as gracious as you have. Some of you have done nothing, you thought, but by just being there you have helped us cope. Some people don’t understand if they are not here on Sunday I actually do miss them . I physically look in every way I can to find out why they were not here. Sadly, when I look at pictures some people are not here any longer and that makes me hurt on the inside. They are loved, you are loved but maybe something has gotten in the way. It’s been a while but I will be checking and trying to locate out missing persons in our fellowship. Our teachers are and should be doing that, our Deacons are and should be doing that. Our staff is, and should be doing that. And I know I have to delegate but I miss some of our people and when you love your church it is difficult to see one missing. I know what is happening, someone says, “It’s been so long. My presence doesn’t matter”. It matters for my benefit and yours. You get blessed by the word and music and I get blessed by having the opportunity to minister to you and see you and hug you and let you know you are special. Just because you are you.
Wow! Time flies. The Scripture has it right: it moves fast James 4:14. I was talking with someone the other day and they said they would be 50 this year and I thought, “I’m 50 and will be 51 in July.” Wow! Now I know some of you don’t believe that because I don’t look it…..Careful, I can see and hear you in there. Yet I don’t feel 50 or 51 for that matter. I feel like I am about 40 or about to turn 40. So it must be true the new 50 is the old 40. I look in the mirror though and things change. I say to myself, “You’re 50”. I told Karen and you may have heard me say it, I want to totally enjoy the next 20 years until that age that everyone talks about even the Bible talks about: 70. I pray I get there if the Upper-Taker doesn’t come first but I hope I make it as far as God want s to use me for Him. I want to be found faithful until He says your time is up. Did you hear about the lady in a boat, the other day cruising on the water and all of a sudden a stingray jumped out of the water and hit her and killed her instantly upon the force of impact? That might happen one in a billion times. Yet it obviously was her time to leave this world.
Enjoy today! Let God’s promise of I will never leave you or forsake you be your fuel that keeps you going. He is faithful and He will be a faithful companion all the way til the “stingray” comes or whatever it is He is faithful. It is only that I know what I know that has sustained me through such great hours of pain, anger, disappointment, disillusionment, tears, why, and all the other. Life is very short. For our precious Victoria Leigh Wilhoit it was less than six months, who knows how long it will be for you or me or a special friend or a loved one or the next person you meet? I was driving down the road the other day and a man’s picture advertising his business is located on a bill board. Several days earlier I recognized him as the man on the billboard but this time hi picture was in the obituary. His picture is still up on the billboard but he isn’t here. I talk a good talk about this enjoying every moment and being happy but I must admit it is hard at times still. I haven’t arrived I guess is what I am saying. But I do know the answer and in fact my devotional thought I was reading this morning was exactly what I am dealing with. It talked about to find contentment is to find Intimacy with God. I can fight against trusting Him by self sufficiency, anger, fear or what ever it might be but the bottom line is we need intimacy with God and the more I love Him and the more I place my trust in Him the more I am able to heal.
It’s been a while, but hopefully I’m back to writing, sharing, and encouraging you (and me!) along the way. God Bless and have a great day!
