Romans 15:13: ~ "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Okay. I am back. Let me update that. I am here. Being back may imply more than I can prove. It is Thursday, May 29, 2025, and I bid each and everyone a hearty hello and warm welcome to today's edition. I did drive over there on Tuesday, 6 hours and 45 minutes in my ole truck, (217,000 miles), then to the viewing Tuesday evening. We had the service yesterday at 11 am and I was privileged to speak and set forth my thoughts about the wife's older brother, Cleon, 89 years young. When we were in Scotland back in the mid 1990's I became acquainted with a song the Scots have claimed as their national anthem. In that song one of the lines has stuck with me. It talks about how it could be and it hearkens back to those who have stood up and counted and then it says this, "When will we seek your like again?". That's my feeling about my brother-in-law, when will we see another like him again? I remember the first time I visited Cleon's family home. It was Christmas of 1963. I was there as the boyfriend guest for the family Christmas celebration. We married the next year and that home became one of the early gathering places for family events. Tons of memories associated with our visits there. When I left yesterday I realized it was most likely the last time I would see that place. That's not anything to lament over, it's how life works. I am blessed to still be able to remember so many good times associated with that home. Family reunions. Hunting expeditions. Lots of laughter and joy. And, at times, it was where we gathered to say farewell to the wife's dad and then a few years later, the wife's mom. Great people and now their eldest son joins them, along with his brother Milton, a sister who was miscarried, and the host of heaven as they worship the One who saved them, the Lord Jesus Christ. While I am so looking forward to being there to be honest I don't know how all of that will work, but, I do believe as much as I know how and as the fellow in the Bible told Jesus, "Lord, I believe, but, help my unbelief." (Gospel of Mark, Chapter 9, Verses 23-25) I say Amen to that. What say you? 

I will say this about my traveling prowess. Not so much anymore. Essentially, I hurt all over more than anywhere else. That is an exaggeration but let's face facts here. That much driving, often during blinding rainstorms, well, it's more for younger folks than for old timers like me. I have waited a long time to be able to call myself an old timer, so, how do I like that? It was the first time I said it so I think I need a little time to process it. Meanwhile, if you will pass that arthritis relief cream over to me I will see if it can be of use in getting me up and going again. Just joking. A smidgen. As we gathered as a family I am definitely now considered the elder representative. That's a lot of responsibility because the family looks up to those who are in that position for direction and as an example. Wow! I thought about Cleon and how he was always looked up to. Cleon's life reminded me of what the old preacher said, "Live your life in a way so they will not have to make stuff up at your funeral." We didn't have to make anything up at his service. Now that chapter has closed and we move on, on to the next God ordained story of our family. May God be pleased as we seek to live in a way that brings honor to His name. Amen.