It's all in a day of living.

We do live one day at a time and we never can be certain how it will go. All around us folks blur by as they hurry their way from one event to the next. We know what we know until we know something different and then we act, react, or continue on our way. This week we heard from my mom that she has a growth that needs to be removed and she’s not sure just how serious it might be. She will be having surgery next Monday. Our grandson Brady had his tonsils and adenoids out Tuesday morning and tubes put into his ears. He is doing well but dealing with a sore throat. Three of our grandchildren are at summer camp this week and we are praying their lives will be changed and enriched by the experience. One is on holiday in Mexico and we pray for her each day. Yesterday our nephew from Florida called to say hello. He lived with us for several months and just wanted to check in. This is Brother Milton’s son and I will have to tell you my heart skipped a beat when I heard his voice. Why? You just never know what may be the content of an unexpected phone call. No matter who we are we cannot escape the reality of life and this is the subject I have spinning in my agitator on this Thursday, June 18, 2009.

Faith in the providential care of our heavenly Father is our calling, yet, we cannot help but face each day knowing we will pretty much be working through issues as they come and go. What a blessing it is to rest in our faith even when that unexpected call does come or we have to make a surprise difficult decision. God must have had something very wonderful in mind when He created the human family because He most certainly knew that life would not be easy. We can glean much from the Apostle Paul’s inspired insight into that which not only awaits us later, but that which can to the extent that we live by our faith be experienced during our sojourn here: “…but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, And which entered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him.” (1st Corinthians 2:9) Far too many believers have given up on what He has for us here and find themselves waiting only for that which awaits us later.

The favorite old hymn comes to mind, The Garden, and the phrase from it that says: “And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.” Being able to know the reality of sweet fellowship with God does not cause the phone to stop ringing with what may be a challenging development. It will not make pain, sorrow, and the concern we have for others evaporate. Truth tells us that being God’s own child is not only about having a reservation for the heavenly banquet but it’s actually just as much about living a life of fellowship and purpose as provided for in God’s plan. He has a life of significance for each of His own. No, it’s not necessarily one of worldly prestige or prominence but remember that widow in the Bible who gave her all even though it was hardly a noticeable amount. Jesus pronounced her gift to be more than all the rest put together. May we all take this thought as we get up and go forward knowing He is with us as we have to deal with all the ups, downs, and in-betweens that characterize our journey. Amen. ….More later.