Memories: A Memo of blessing.

As I sit here at the kitchen table this morning with my laptop computer doing various things; I contemplate life as I listen to some music in my headphones. The rest of the family is asleep, all is still and quiet. I have some time off from work for the next couple of weeks and it is such a relief. To not have any pressure of work and the like is just a wonderful mental and even physical release.
As I am sitting here a song that I like comes on and I can’t help but ponder how wonderful my life really is and has been.

“Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened thru the ages just like wine

Quiet thought come floating down
And settle softly to the ground
Like golden autumn leaves around my feet
I touched them and they burst apart with sweet memories,
Sweet memories”

Sappy! huh?

I have always enjoyed this song that was made famous by Elvis Presley.

I have written many times and said it probably even more. Christmas is probably my favorite time with my family. The excitement that is generated from the kids is so much fun. One can’t help but get pulled in with them. Dwelling in the blessings of God and Family is wonderful! Of course, I have incredible memories of wonderful times past. Most of these memories involve my family! One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 90. It talks about how short life is and we are like a grass which in the morning sprouts anew and towards evening it fades and withers away. This theme is not foreign to other parts of the Bible, Old and New Testament. Jesus talked much about the shortness of life and the temporary place in which we now reside. This is not exactly a “pep” talk we are getting from the scripture. However, I do believe it is as if God is saying this is important! Listen! The fact is it is realistic. Life is so very short and I or probably “we” get so caught up in things that are not important in the grand scheme of our 70 or 80 years here on earth.
So I say lets live as if we knew the end was near! Because when we really get down to it, it is! What will you do with the precious time that you have left? What will your Christmas celebration look like? What will your plan for you and your family look like this next year? Ten years? Twenty years? Will you take that vacation you have been procrastinating because of your workaholic commitments at work? Will you spend the time with your children who when you looked away went from the precious six year old to a taller than you and probably stronger 16 year old?
Lots of questions, but only you can answer them and take action.
I wish all that read this a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Psalm 90

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
2Before the mountains were born
Or You gave birth to the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
3You turn man back into dust
And say, "Return, O children of men."
4For a thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it passes by,
Or as a watch in the night.
5You have swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep;
In the morning they are like grass which sprouts anew.
6In the morning it flourishes and sprouts anew;
Toward evening it fades and withers away.
7For we have been consumed by Your anger
And by Your wrath we have been dismayed.
8You have placed our iniquities before You,
Our secret sins in the light of Your presence.
9For all our days have declined in Your fury;
We have finished our years like a sigh.
10As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
For soon it is gone and we fly away.
11Who understands the power of Your anger
And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?
12So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
13Do return, O LORD; how long will it be?
And be sorry for Your servants.
13Do return, O LORD; how long will it be?
And be sorry for Your servants.
14O satisfy us in the morning with Your loving kindness,
That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad according to the days You have afflicted us,
And the years we have seen [b]evil.
16Let Your work appear to Your servants
And Your majesty to their children.
17Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us;
And confirm for us the work of our hands;
Yes, confirm the work of our hands.