Another Year Along the Way
Another Year Along the Way
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Another day,
1979. She left earth and entered her eternal home in 1979. Cancer had damaged too much of Mama's beautiful body for too long.
Now - after living in Orlando for 27 years without Mama near me - my family and I moved back to Mama's former world. She isn't here; I've looked for her and thought about her but she isn't here.
I can hear her laughter and see her smiles. As another Christmas passed through and another year lands, I realize that all of us have only a season to live on earth. And that season seems shorter and shorter.
Since our move to Georgia, I've attended five funerals. I feel for the families; I pray for the families. I also learn again that this life is short.
I often use this phrase from Annie Dillard: "How we spend our days is how we spend our lives." Read it and review yourself. Evaluate and determine how you are doing in this short life. What has happened since 1979? What has happened this year? What do you pray happens in 2007? What can we do to give God opportunities to accomplish His goals through us for this year? Will we really make a difference? Will people remember us when our time ends?
As clocks tick and calendars turn, we age. As hopes diminish and dreams fade, we ask questions. As prayers appear to remain unanswered, we shake our heads and wonder why.
Today we can choose to care, to live, to enjoy, to pursue - all while knowing that true success is only what our Creator does through us. We do not have to perform to impress Him or persuade Him. We just honor Him with love and give Him ourselves completely so His work can flow through our lives. This day, this year, this time.
What I learned from my mother is still so fully alive. What others are learning from us is bringing something into their lives also. I pray it brings a Mama type of hope.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
(Romans 14:17-19, NIV)
HAVE YOU VISITED FAITH CAFE? www.faithcafe.net
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Another day,
1979. She left earth and entered her eternal home in 1979. Cancer had damaged too much of Mama's beautiful body for too long.
Now - after living in Orlando for 27 years without Mama near me - my family and I moved back to Mama's former world. She isn't here; I've looked for her and thought about her but she isn't here.
I can hear her laughter and see her smiles. As another Christmas passed through and another year lands, I realize that all of us have only a season to live on earth. And that season seems shorter and shorter.
Since our move to Georgia, I've attended five funerals. I feel for the families; I pray for the families. I also learn again that this life is short.
I often use this phrase from Annie Dillard: "How we spend our days is how we spend our lives." Read it and review yourself. Evaluate and determine how you are doing in this short life. What has happened since 1979? What has happened this year? What do you pray happens in 2007? What can we do to give God opportunities to accomplish His goals through us for this year? Will we really make a difference? Will people remember us when our time ends?
As clocks tick and calendars turn, we age. As hopes diminish and dreams fade, we ask questions. As prayers appear to remain unanswered, we shake our heads and wonder why.
Today we can choose to care, to live, to enjoy, to pursue - all while knowing that true success is only what our Creator does through us. We do not have to perform to impress Him or persuade Him. We just honor Him with love and give Him ourselves completely so His work can flow through our lives. This day, this year, this time.
What I learned from my mother is still so fully alive. What others are learning from us is bringing something into their lives also. I pray it brings a Mama type of hope.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
(Romans 14:17-19, NIV)
HAVE YOU VISITED FAITH CAFE? www.faithcafe.net
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