This week has been a week of ups and downs. Monday I learned
mid-afternoon of a very sudden death within our church family. In a phone call later that night I spoke with
a man who had just become a widower. His
wife of more than 25 years, had suddenly died.
One minute he was talking with her.
The next minute she was with Jesus.
He never saw it coming. I sat in
that home yesterday joined by two staff members, and we ministered to a
grieving family. They all know Jesus, so
there was tremendous hope in that room.
Later in the day I received a call from a member who’s son
is battling colon cancer. Today we
visited him. At the age of 38, he is
fighting for his life, with a supportive wife close by his side. The pain in that room was palpable, but
Christ was there too, and His peace was evident even in the midst of their
storm.
Next, I went to a hospital here in Syracuse
to make a visit to celebrate with a family. A young husband and wife were rejoicing over
the arrival of their brand new baby boy.
That man is one of my prayer warriors, who holds me up to the Lord
daily. What a thrill to rejoice with him
over this great blessing in their lives.
Later in the day, I went to visit my mother in assisted
living. I had some things to bring to
her and when I arrived and was signing the logbook into the home, the
receptionist said, ‘Hi, Bruce. Your Mom
is at Bible Study.’ She then pointed me
in the direction, and as I arrived the gathering was just disbanding. While visiting her she opened her Bible and
asked me about a passage she had read earlier.
My Mom still wants to keep growing, and moving forward with the Lord
even in her later years. I love
that. I love her.
Now back to the start of my day. My day started with my wife and I taking our
youngest daughter to school. She’s in 11th
grade. It hardly seems possible. It seems like a couple of years ago she was
born. Oh how the years go by . . . I’m
going to blink and we will be taking her to college.
I’m now back at my office and getting back to working on
this weekend’s message. This whole week
and my day have reminded me that every day is a gift from God. My challenge to you is to not get so caught
up in whatever is on your mind or distracting you that you miss the blessings
of the moment right in front of you.
Cherish every day.
The Bible says, ‘Teach us to number our days carefully so
that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.’
Psalm 90:12, HCSB
