Important birthdays remind us of those we cherish.

Good morning and welcome to that longed for day in our society. That's right. It is Friday and it must be a special day since everywhere you go you hear folks thanking God for this particular day. I've not heard folks saying thank God it's Monday, Tuesday, or any of the other days of the week but Friday does get the attention. So here we are, Friday, April 30, 2010. Yesterday was the anniversary of my grandfather's birth, Andrew Rancher McMillan, born April 29, 1900. This was my mom's dad and he became perhaps the most important man in my life growing up. God called him home rather early back in 1971 but I've come to believe with all my heart that his was a reward home going for he had been a faithful servant of the Lord throughout his life. If I had a fraction of his gumption I would be a much better man today, however, I give him full credit for the little that I've been able to contribute to Kingdom business. Surely we have been blessed to have folks like Paw Paw Mac to help guide our lives. May God bless his memory and his testimony that keeps on keeping on today.

Today is also the birthday of our niece Stacy, daughter of our baby sister, Kayla, who passed away, after an 18 month battle with leukemia, back in 1979. Stacy is a wonderful woman today and we are reminded of how much her mom loved her and her two sisters. We will never understand in this life why things happen the way they do but we are thankful to God for Kayla, her remarkable testimony, and how she continues through her children. Happy Birthday Stacy. Finally, today is also our middle son, Jimmy's birthday. He is 42 years old today. Come next year all three of our boys will wear the 40's badge. Now that is hard for me to take in. Jimmy has had a rough time of it much of his life due to a myriad of physical and emotional issues. Yet, he is beloved by his family, and each day we thank God for him and seek God's best for his life. Happy birthday son, may God be with you on this day.


People come and go in our lives but as this blog would indicate, they have an influence, and they make a difference in the living out of our daily walk. We who have trusted God really are only temporary residents of this world. We are essentially marking time until that day when we arrive home. The song says "I've a home prepared where the saints abide, just over in the gloryland; And I long to be by my Savior's side, just over in the gloryland." Some folks may think it best just to sit and wait until they get there but thank God for those who busy themselves pursuing a life of serving God and others, giving us an example on not only how to live, but how to be prepared to arrive in our real home. Birthdays give us that opportunity and today we pause to remember these mentioned. May God help us all to make the best of our travels here while moving each day closer to our heavenly home! Amen. Have a great Saturday and Lord's Day Sunday, and we all will have to wait and see what comes up on Monday! .....More later.