Do Not Delay; The Golden Moments Fly
#301 Do Not Delay; The Golden Moments Fly… Psalm 90:12
What a great blessing to be with my parents and to attend the convention. I am grateful that we were able to attend the whole six days. My Dad had bouts of extreme agitation and confusion when he thought that he needed to get back home to take care of his parents (who passed away over thirty years ago.) I had to remind myself that it was his disease (Alzheimer’s with no short term memory) when he became especially upset and critical, (and when he forgets me) and to not take it personally. But once he saw children playing, shook someone’s hand or read Scripture he would snap back into an attitude of pleasantness and gratitude. It was thrilling to sit by him during the power point discourses and here him softly repeat the words of Scripture, punctuating each word with his finger pointed in the air, and then make comments like, “Beautiful!” “Isn’t that nice!” and give a two thumbs up sign. He was especially impressed with the theme text from Colossians 1:10 which he read aloud many times: “Walk worthy of the Lord…fruitful in every good work…increasing in the knowledge of God…” He was very excited about the Melodies of Praise session, and after each song gave enthusiastic thumbs up and exclaimed “Wow!” For my Dad “Wow!” is the new “Amen!” A smile lit up his face as he greeted brothers and sister in Christ with vigorous handshakes: “Hey there Buddy, good to see you!” to the brothers and “So nice to see you” to the sisters. He handed out bookmarks with his favorite verse from 2 Corinthians 12:9 and his comments on those verses, (shared in an earlier meditation #290 Words of Wisdom).
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Our God and His loving Son really know, really, really know, all our needs, and will never leave nor forsake us. Continue to trust in Him for He is more than able to take care of ALL of His children, now and forever.
From Your Brother Richard, July 2014
My Mom continues to be an example of love and devotion. My Dad continues inspire me and to teach me the value of each moment, and the value of the connection we can have in each moment. We need to what we can do while we can still do it…
“Do not delay; the golden moments fly.” (Longfellow) I treasured all the time we spent together.
“Teach us to number our days that we might apply our hearts to wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
Often my Dad’s random comments touched my heart, and I sensed the Lord speaking to me through him. When we were home my Dad and I took many walks in the yard because he didn’t remember that we just took a walk. Each time he commented on the number of trees, how beautiful they were, and reminded me to notice the blue sky and the clouds. He counted trees. It was as if he was seeing the trees and sky and grass every time for the first time, and he was delighted.
Then out of the blue he quoted one of his favorite hymns: Sun of my Soul, and it was God is speaking directly to my soul. I meditated on these words, and paraphrased them:
You are the Sun of my soul, my source LIGHT and LIFE, my dear Heavenly Father.
There is no darkness or night when You are with me.
I don’t want any cloud that arises from the atmosphere of my earthly life
to obscure my ability to see You.
You are the shield and protection of my life, amid the storms and tempests of life
when many foes and obstacles are challenging me.
You are my refuge and fortress, and every obstacle and enemy is under Your dominion.
I do not know if I will be able to connect with my Dad the next time I see him, which will be during the Christmas holiday. My connection with him is fragile and very precious.
What is the wise way to live when we realize that our days are numbered and limited on this earth?
All our connections with fellow human beings and brethren in Christ are fragile and precious.
Lord help us have the presence of mind to be present with each fragile and precious connection that you gift us with.
What a great blessing to be with my parents and to attend the convention. I am grateful that we were able to attend the whole six days. My Dad had bouts of extreme agitation and confusion when he thought that he needed to get back home to take care of his parents (who passed away over thirty years ago.) I had to remind myself that it was his disease (Alzheimer’s with no short term memory) when he became especially upset and critical, (and when he forgets me) and to not take it personally. But once he saw children playing, shook someone’s hand or read Scripture he would snap back into an attitude of pleasantness and gratitude. It was thrilling to sit by him during the power point discourses and here him softly repeat the words of Scripture, punctuating each word with his finger pointed in the air, and then make comments like, “Beautiful!” “Isn’t that nice!” and give a two thumbs up sign. He was especially impressed with the theme text from Colossians 1:10 which he read aloud many times: “Walk worthy of the Lord…fruitful in every good work…increasing in the knowledge of God…” He was very excited about the Melodies of Praise session, and after each song gave enthusiastic thumbs up and exclaimed “Wow!” For my Dad “Wow!” is the new “Amen!” A smile lit up his face as he greeted brothers and sister in Christ with vigorous handshakes: “Hey there Buddy, good to see you!” to the brothers and “So nice to see you” to the sisters. He handed out bookmarks with his favorite verse from 2 Corinthians 12:9 and his comments on those verses, (shared in an earlier meditation #290 Words of Wisdom).
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Our God and His loving Son really know, really, really know, all our needs, and will never leave nor forsake us. Continue to trust in Him for He is more than able to take care of ALL of His children, now and forever.
From Your Brother Richard, July 2014
My Mom continues to be an example of love and devotion. My Dad continues inspire me and to teach me the value of each moment, and the value of the connection we can have in each moment. We need to what we can do while we can still do it…
“Do not delay; the golden moments fly.” (Longfellow) I treasured all the time we spent together.
“Teach us to number our days that we might apply our hearts to wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
Often my Dad’s random comments touched my heart, and I sensed the Lord speaking to me through him. When we were home my Dad and I took many walks in the yard because he didn’t remember that we just took a walk. Each time he commented on the number of trees, how beautiful they were, and reminded me to notice the blue sky and the clouds. He counted trees. It was as if he was seeing the trees and sky and grass every time for the first time, and he was delighted.
Then out of the blue he quoted one of his favorite hymns: Sun of my Soul, and it was God is speaking directly to my soul. I meditated on these words, and paraphrased them:
You are the Sun of my soul, my source LIGHT and LIFE, my dear Heavenly Father.
There is no darkness or night when You are with me.
I don’t want any cloud that arises from the atmosphere of my earthly life
to obscure my ability to see You.
You are the shield and protection of my life, amid the storms and tempests of life
when many foes and obstacles are challenging me.
You are my refuge and fortress, and every obstacle and enemy is under Your dominion.
I do not know if I will be able to connect with my Dad the next time I see him, which will be during the Christmas holiday. My connection with him is fragile and very precious.
What is the wise way to live when we realize that our days are numbered and limited on this earth?
All our connections with fellow human beings and brethren in Christ are fragile and precious.
Lord help us have the presence of mind to be present with each fragile and precious connection that you gift us with.
