There was man who was very quiet, sitting alone, and yet I noticed him looking my direction.
I was wondering what to say, if to say, and then... I did it... I asked something like, "How was it?"
And he replied. And then he asked me about my day and I replied with a content cheerfulness.
Then without warning, the man whom I at one point had wondered if he could even speak, he asked, "What is your goal in life?"
I normally hum-and-haw at these kinds of direct questions, but for some reason, I said...
"To inspire others, I guess." And his bright, soft, and baggy eyes dimmed a bit, as if waiting for something more.
Then it happened, I said, "Well, I love God, so my goals are to love him more and to show the compassion I've received."
I continued, "That is the Goal, not saying that is what I achieve."
He then replied, "I believe in God, too." And then he went on to share about his church, his years of work, and then he started off. He was in no rush and wound up sharing that his wife had died 4 years ago. And after I offered hopeful words, he shared wisdom-- or a riddle (I'm not sure, it may have been both.)
"Looking ahead, 10 years can feel like forever. Yet 50 years ago feels like yesterday. Remember this."
Lord,
I thank you for Richard and how so many people have endured more years than I think I'll see.
And yet already, I thank you for the years gone by. Man, time is funny, strange, painful, and fleeting.
But You Stand Forever. Therefore, teach me to set my eyes on what matters. Teach me through baggy-eyed believers,
your Word, and by Your Presence. I want to know you more, to love you more consistently, and to have godly compassion as I age (or while I can breathe). In the meantime, thanks for Your Faithfulness, a Will that is unswerving, undeserved, and unmatched. Thanks for the time allotted. In Jesus' name, amen.
I was wondering what to say, if to say, and then... I did it... I asked something like, "How was it?"
And he replied. And then he asked me about my day and I replied with a content cheerfulness.
Then without warning, the man whom I at one point had wondered if he could even speak, he asked, "What is your goal in life?"
I normally hum-and-haw at these kinds of direct questions, but for some reason, I said...
"To inspire others, I guess." And his bright, soft, and baggy eyes dimmed a bit, as if waiting for something more.
Then it happened, I said, "Well, I love God, so my goals are to love him more and to show the compassion I've received."
I continued, "That is the Goal, not saying that is what I achieve."
He then replied, "I believe in God, too." And then he went on to share about his church, his years of work, and then he started off. He was in no rush and wound up sharing that his wife had died 4 years ago. And after I offered hopeful words, he shared wisdom-- or a riddle (I'm not sure, it may have been both.)
"Looking ahead, 10 years can feel like forever. Yet 50 years ago feels like yesterday. Remember this."
Lord,
I thank you for Richard and how so many people have endured more years than I think I'll see.
And yet already, I thank you for the years gone by. Man, time is funny, strange, painful, and fleeting.
But You Stand Forever. Therefore, teach me to set my eyes on what matters. Teach me through baggy-eyed believers,
your Word, and by Your Presence. I want to know you more, to love you more consistently, and to have godly compassion as I age (or while I can breathe). In the meantime, thanks for Your Faithfulness, a Will that is unswerving, undeserved, and unmatched. Thanks for the time allotted. In Jesus' name, amen.