And Now He Is Gone

Seasons come and go. Life flies past. The angle of the sun seems to be shifting as Autumn approaches.

We got a new next door neighbor this summer. He was so friendly. He would ride his riding lawn mower from house to house and cut the grass of his neighbors including us. It seemed to be therapeutic for him. He always had a big smile and a wave.

I thought I would bake some cookies for him to say thank you. But school was starting and we were in the midst of a few overwhelming projects. I could barely keep up with my family's needs and the demands of work, so I didn't take cookies to him...it could wait I thought.

We appreciated his gesture of kindness in mowing our lawn. Our sons did too!

Then Monday the 16th an ambulance came and took him away. Today he is gone. There will not be a chance to take him cookies. There are no other opportunities for a big smile and a happy wave.

And I'm sad. I don't like to miss opportunities. But how in the world do we ever do everything we wish we could do. There are SO MANY things that are priorities to me that I never have a chance to do. How does that happen? The demands of every day sometimes just pull us along. Time passes. Seasons come and go and opportunities are lost.

Each day I strive to use my time wisely, kindly, industriously and not wastefully, carefully, thoughtfully. I have this overwhelming sense that every moment matters. All I can do is my best...yes that is all I can do.

Good bye, Mr. Joe.

Rachel

She Said It Well

Mona was one of you who checked in on me in my absence. She left this comment!
Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...
My goodness! Where on earth have you gone. I, myself am struggling with blogging. Sometimes life just seems to overtake you and you MUST give it your full attention...

Jump over and visit her. Life is really dealing her some blows.
But yes that is absolutely right...sometimes just life takes our full attention! I like how she said that!

So many are dealing with overwhelming issues. I love the simple pleasures found in the summer wildflowers, herbs and weeds that seem to be bring havoc to the ones who are suffering with seasonal allergies.

I simply could not resist taking a photo of the lacy green fronds of this green rag weed. Although it my mind I could hear my son and husband sneezing as they worked around it.

So if you are struggling with seasonal allergies or terminal illness or fractured relationships or job loss or any of the other things that life can bring your way, I just wanted to come by and leave you with a scripture that has encouraged our family this summer.

The New Testament Second Corinthians Chapter 4 Verses 7 through 10

NIV

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles but we are not crushed. We are perplexed but not driven to despair. We are hunted down but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

I hope this is encouraging to you also for whatever you may be going through and you've had a restful Sunday.

Rachel