It’s been a whirlwind of a week with nothing forcing a schedule except the traveling moment. Last Monday, 13 hours there in a single day, 6 days of nothing, then 13 hours and a two day trip home.
Rush. Pause. Rush.
This was the nicest pause we’ve had this year. When your main focus is each other, then you know what to do, when, how, why and when to not push the schedule.
Today is our last day on this time of Pause.
It’s been rushing, and rushing shows up again tomorrow.
I’m sitting in the hotel dining room. The window is cracked open. The 37 degree breeze sweeps in and the smell of travel hits my brain.
When will we get to do this again?
The Beginning
I don’t have the exact date, but I met my bride standing in a drive-up teller window. Her mom was training me. Her dad and the kids drove through the window on their way to the horse pasture. Intrigued, we went out the next week. That would have been 1972. Hmmm. That’s 50 years ago next month!
I don’t remember what I got her for Christmas, but she gave me a beautiful home stereo system. Bell and Howell. Bought at White’s Department Store next to First State Bank of Greens Bayou.
Brenda has always picked out good gifts. She’s thoughtful and it seems to come easy to her. The next year? A .22 Remington rifle. Along with Granddad’s .22, Dad’s .22, and now my father-in-law’s .22, I have a collection!
If you haven’t figured it out, I’m in love with my bride. We’ve been married for a 48 years, 4 months, and 5 days. We’re aiming at 65 years (for a lot reasons) and we are getting ready to knock on that door!
The Ending
The best we can do is make the most of every moment. You never know when the ending will be. Plan, project, aim for, move in the proper direction – but you do not know when the ending will come.
We all know this.
This morning, I want to keep my attitude right so that the long-haul is the joy and not just the destination.
We can live in the past every day into the future,
or we can live intentionally today
and pray for the future.
Not to dampen the feeling, but the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy and this phrase pops out.
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
(2 Timothy 4:6-7, NKJV)
He knew the end was close, and his words reflect it. This was what his entire world had been planned for. He fought the good fight. He finished the race. He kept the faith.
That’s the way I want my ending to be. Reflective. Thankful. Hopeful.
