Holidays

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From the vantage point of having passed four score and seven years, and by reason of strength, heading on toward one more year, I feel the need, nay the obligation, to stop and assess the situation. It is time to be very still and know in a deeper sense of the word that God was, is and ever shall be. I need to express openly my endless gratitude for the gift of life; for every joy and sorrow, every mountain top and valley, every trouble and triumph--to celebrate and appreciate every event in the multi-colored tapestry of life; to know beyond the shadow of a doubt that through it all my Father hovered near, and in spite of my bad judgment, sinful nature and short-sightedness, He took the proverbial sow's ear of my life and turned it into a silk purse: how or why I won't know until He tells me. But I am grateful.

I am glad to have been born in an era that of necessity was not prone to produce greed, a love of money or an inordinate dependence on material things. In that climate where there was little else than family relationships, we learned to value each other, not distracted by the siren song that money buys. Life was simple; we saw clearly. Beyond survival, we had each other, and values were taught far more by example than by word.

Then there was the little neighborhood church building to which I walked as a child and where I grew into my teenage years. The adults in that church made a lasting impression on me. I know now that they were just flawed human beings like the rest of us, bu they were so good and kind to me during the transition from child to adult. They taught me of a better Way and seemed to me to exemplify it. I put on my Lord in baptism among these dear people and began my own walk with Him. Among them I learned a love and respect for His Book, the Lamp for our feet and Light for our path through life. And through the years as I lived in many strange places, I was always at home in the church. I am grateful.

Then there was the Providential care through a lifetime: the need for food, clothing and shelter, unfailingly met. And to deny that it came from the Giver of all good gifts would be to deny the warmth of the sunshine or the coolness of the rain. I am grateful.

I am so thankful for the years when the children were growing up around me: each in his or her own individual way--becoming strong, well-defined individuals in their own right over years and years of people and events and places. Every emotional muscle stretched; every ounce of ingenuity used; endless prayers said; laughter and love interspersed and over all. What a remarkable experience! I am grateful.

I am glad to have been a part of so many workplaces over the years. The people I worked with became friends, and there was a camaraderie based on shared interests found nowhere else. There was pride in having done the job well. There was never quite enough time at home or at work, so we squeezed every second out of every minute--and found shortcuts and most of all, found out what was important and what could be left undone quite handily. It was good to have walked that road.

I am thankful for family, friends, and home wherever on earth that has been. The years have passed quickly. It has been a long and full life thusfar. To God be the glory. But in addition to, and more than all of this, I am thankful that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us so we could see what God looks like and so we could see clearly how He would have us treat each other. I am thankful to have been stamped at creation by God's divine image and to have been bought back by the blood of His only Son. Reunion time is assured. Death is a blink, and life continues enhanced beyond our wildest dreams because the Word became Incarnate and dwelt among us. I am thankful for the love that sent Him and the love that made Him come, for His life, His death and His resurrection: the basis of our hope for life unending on the other side of Jordan.

Thanks be to God who gives us the victory!

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