It’s February 24, 2016 – a mildly cool day upon this earth that Cheryl and I spent with my parents in WV. The Lord says,

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a). 

Overlooking the valley approaching Birch River, we are thankful for time together. Like a plant, we sprout up – but then, so quickly we go down; time is evasive – like grasping at wind. But when wind still blows upon your face, you enjoy and give thanks.

Our turn. A second is a tick on the clock for everyone alike, young and old. But the older you get, the more precious life gets. And the more precious life gets, the quicker time goes by. It’s supposed to be that way. The more you see the value of something, the more you feel its presence slipping away from you. Mom and dad have been married for over 53 years, and we are approaching 32 years. May the following always be true:

“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised” – (Song of Solomon 8:6-7).

At the grave-site of my dad’s grandpa: James William Truman (1882-1953). Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock. Are you ready? It’s coming you know. Sooner than you think – it will be your turn. Are you wasting your life fretting over (you fill in the blank)? Are you wasting your life loving God’s gifts more than Christ himself? Are you living a life right now that tells others: Walk this way – this is the way – “follow me as I follow Christ”? All the grace that you need to live for Christ is yours, purchased by the one that you follow.

This may not seem to look like a big deal, but this is monumental – dad has the strength to get out and stop by Wally World (which he really does not care to ever venture in the first place). We picked up a few things to clean his guns. I told dad that this was his “bucket list” item: checking out the sports section.

Back home, evening time in the garage. This past year dad got behind on cleaning his guns. All caught up. Ready for another year of hunting. Or whatever else is fun to do with these babies!

Thank you Lord for another day – you are very, very good.