You know you’re getting older when you receive a Birthday card from the town pharmacist. I also received one from my doctor friend and his long time assistant. I just pray my family doesn’t hear next year from the local undertaker.
Getting older is a privilege and a gift straight from God. He is the keeper of our longevity and only He knows the timing of our earthly departure. It is up to us to use this time wisely and not disappoint the One we call Father. We must lead a life committed to Him in order to reap the pleasures He designed, not only for this earthly walk, but for the eternal voyage yet to come.
Recently I have been reflecting on my past a little more than usual. As the years fly by I guess that’s a natural thing to do. I recall persons, places and moments long ago forgotten and see others doing the same. I’ve been contacted recently by three school classmates, one of which I’ve known since kindergarten. All three were searching for their past and were connecting to persons long ago placed in their nostalgia closet and recently taken out, dusted off, recalled and eventually contacted. By the tone in their voices and the questions they asked I could sense intense remorse and overwhelming loneliness as they longed to be connected again to childhood friends and memories lost.
Listen for a moment as Paul replies to Timothy’s encouraging report regarding the Thessalonians and their continued reverence for faith and love,
“But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your lasting faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.” 1 Thessalonians 3: 6
Yes, we like Paul, long to reconnect to those special people from our past. It can be a very uplifting time or sometimes a great disappointment. I have spoken to many, attended a few class reunions and have had conversations with others through various internet sources. These have been wonderful moments that I place in my journal of memories to revisit over and over again. But there is one classmate who refuses to return my phone calls and letters. He lived directly behind us and we did almost everything together.
Image from: http://news.stanford.edu/news/2010/october/older-happy-study-102710.html
I search for answers to his rejection but am at a loss to explain this uncharacteristic response from my former friend. I pray someday he will come to Christ and understand God’s love that is so good and pure.
Whatever the reason I lift him up to the Father in the same way David did for King Saul,
“May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.” Psalm 61:7
Manna and Coffee 