August 30th, Remembering

20 years ago today was the day that I married Richard.  Our plans were that we would work, work and work some more.  We looked forward to when the children would be grown because we had plans to spend time traveling.  He also wanted to spend more time in China.  He had been there and loved the culture and of course the food.

Most of the time on this day he would try to surprise me in some way by taking me out to eat or a present of a necklace or ring. Oh and always chocolate.  He knew me well.  After he was diagnosed with cancer we spent lots of time talking and looking to the future.  The future was after cancer.

There was a point in time though when he started talking to me about what he wanted me to do after he was gone.  I did not want to listen but had to.  He made me listen.  We talked about many things.  He talked about how he would miss seeing Sarah graduate and Brianna's ballgames.  He talked about how he would miss the boys achievements.  He treated my boys as if they were his.  He often said how blessed he was with them in his life.

20 years ago today though was a crazy day full of family, friends and a wedding.  It is a day I will always remember!

There is also a day that I can not forget.  It is the day that Jesus died on the cross for me.  Without that I would be doomed!   The good news is that Jesus rose again.  Jesus did this for me and for you.  You may have many fun vacations but don't forget that you need to secure  your last vacation.

Where will you go when you die?

Do you know?

John 14:1-4

 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

What is your everything??

 Samson is my handicapped dog.  He does not know he is handicapped though.  He still eats and he still wants to be petted.  He still can get to the food faster than the other two dogs.

What he does not understand is that as he is running around trying to beat the other dogs, he is rubbing his back underside raw.  He can not feel the pain that he should be feel.  He is just doing what dogs do.

  Do people run around trying to beat other people?  I believe that yes most people want to win.  They want the food or the prize or the money or the best everything.  They want to be the first.

I think that Samson probably needs to slow down when his food or his prize is given.  He can gulp it down in seconds.  I wish that he would or could slow down, I believe it is a dog's nature to eat fast or faster!

I think that sometimes I forget about what the true prize it.  As a human I am just trying to get to the prize fast, whatever that I perceive the prize might be.  I think that I am probably more handicapped than Samson.  I let people and circumstances dictate how I react or what I do.

The only thing  that I should be doing is what Samson is doing.  He is looking to me for his food, his bedding and love.  He gives the love back freely and will try to protect me if he feels that I am threatened.

 I should be running to my Savior, just like my Samson runs to me.  I need to forget about being first.  I need to slow down and savor the minutes with my Savior.   I need to remember that He is the prize!

Jesus is everything!

Do you feel the pain?

What is your everything?




But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.  2 Peter 3:18