Devotionals
Luke 6:31
KJV - And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
NIV - "Do to others as you would have them do to you."
Last week marked the passing of two very special people. James Arness was a true American hero from an age when some Hollywood actors proved to be excellent role models and patriotic citizens whose characters were an extension of their personal lives. US Marshall Matt Dillon is one of the most beloved characters in television history. His bravery and integrity were beyond reproach, much like the man in real life who was nearly killed at Anzio, Italy during World War II. He was a real war hero and when he recovered, he returned home and made a career taking on the bad guys in Dodge City. Arness came from a generation of Americans that did not decry to woes of the society that nurtured him. He did not wear ear rings nor dye his hair like the pretty boys of Hollywood do today. He worked hard, raised his family, and maintained a degree of privacy so that even those who worked closest with him knew little of his personal life. Our family has spent many hours watching Gunsmoke and I especially love them. I love the romanticism and gritty spirit of the Old West, and I am going to miss Matt Dillon.
R.J. Williams was one of the most pleasant kids I ever taught. An excellent student with an infectious smile, R.J. looked like he should have been cast on "Little Rascals." He was a fun, delightful person that made any situation a little brighter. He graduated with my oldest daughter's class, so I was quite familiar with his cheerful antics long before I had him in class. At first, my impression of the lad was less than favorable because he was a notorious flirt. Amber would come home and tell me of this little charmer , so I knew I had better be on guard. But once anyone met R.J., it was clear he was someone special that you just had to like. Witty, humorous, and very perceptive, he always knew just what to say. He was on his way to becoming a highly successful horse racer in Michigan before his untimely death last Thursday. He died in a car accident in the course of his duties - picking up grain for the horse farm where he worked.
I read an article about him in the local Michigan newspaper and what a name he was making for himself in the horse racing industry. We are all deeply saddened by his passing. The world lost one beautiful smile.
The transience of life reminds us to treat every day as the special blessing it is. Every "routine" encounter should be cherished so that we do not reflect upon how special every one we meet was, but how special they are. Wouldn't it be something if we treated everyone as if it were going to be the last time we saw them? We would take the time to tell them how special they are. We would take the time to let them know they hold a special place in our hearts. We would dwell upon their qualities and not their flaws. We would thank them for the smiles they brought to our faces, and more importantly, to our hearts. In so honoring their special gifts, we honor our God who made them.
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