God uses our hands to touch others!

Hello friends and neighbors and welcome to today's hot off the press issue of another muddied up set of meanderings from your faithful observer here on this Tuesday, September 29, 2009. I have talked to my mom several times and she does have some type of lung infection and will be staying in the hospital for a few days. She does seem to be feeling much better and she is thanking God for all the prayers that have gone up on her behalf. When I first talked to her I told her it was her little boy calling from over in the Houston area. She said she knew who it was and also knew that I would be calling. She said on the helicopter ride she thought she might be dying and she asked the young medical attendant if he would hold her hand. He did and she said it brought such comfort to her. Every day a blessing. Here a blessing. There a blessing. Everywhere a blessing. And, I do give God thanks for His provisions. A touch is such a blessing. We experienced this at the large wedding we attended on Saturday where we saw so many friends that we have known over the past twenty plus years. What a time we had laughing and remembering funny stories and new funny stories and it made me aware of how sweet it is to enjoy the blessing of fellowship one with another.

On Wednesday evenings when us older folks meet together for our regular time of Bible study there is always a time of laughter, sharing, and even a co-mingling of tears as together we make our way through this life God has given to us. Family. Friends. Brothers and sisters in Christ, belonging together in the family of God. The young man who was married last Saturday comes from a wonderful family. His dad passed away eight years ago after several years of battling Leukemia. His dad had held a senior management position with Exxon and was one of the brightest fellows I've ever met. It was my privilege to have him in my Sunday morning Bible Study. Ronnie Paulk was a man with a testimony. He loved God. He loved his family. He loved serving. His testimony overshadowed the wedding proceedings as his widow and three sons all participated in this great event. Looking around that room at all of their friends and family, it was clear that these folks were also our friends and family. Ronnie would have been proud of all that happened. He would have laughed right along with the rest of us. Some believe God allows those in His presence to see the good stuff that happens here on earth. If so, I'm sure Bro. Ronnie was shouting for joy and telling everyone around about the first of his boys to marry.

Touching. Visiting. That's what it used to be called when you sat down and talked forth and back, often for no special reason, with those near and dear to your heart. We sure used to do more of that than we do today. Since we enjoy it so much and treasure our time spent together, why don't we do it more often? Now here's the kicker, we are just too busy to find a reason to get together with those we enjoy so much. Sounds kind of dumb, don't you think? Too busy. Too many deadlines. Places to be and people to see. AND, sadly, much of what we occupy ourselves with doesn't really amount to a hill of beans. Yet, we, like those hamsters caught on that exercise wheel just churn our lives away. We do need to slow down and smell the coffee and share a cup with a friend. It takes a commitment to do it. It will not happen by wishing. I well remember hearing people lament over not taking the time to go and see someone special in their life. They put it off and excused themselves but always with a promise that next time they would go. But that next time didn't materialize and they, we, all of us, are left to bemoan these missed opportunities. I'm not going to tell you I will do better but I am going to tell you that I will think about doing better. Also, lest I forget, I thank the young man who held my mom's hand and brought comfort to her in her time of need. Today's myriad of discombobulated thoughts should give us all something to chew on. Amen. .....More later.