One of my earliest recollections was a Christmas before my mother died. Then I remember being told of her death (I was 5 when she died), her funeral, JFK's death and Hurricane Donna that hit our home in Florida. Those memories were sad. Some good early memories are meeting my wife at church (I was singing at her church), dating her, getting married and moving from Kentucky to Florida. Getting on the Sarasota Fire Department, graduating the Fire Academy and later getting promoted. Having a baby girl, then a baby boy and watching them grow. Later moving back to Kentucky, my children getting married and them having babies of their own. Now I'm a grandpa and I wonder what happened with all the years. Life happens so fast and although my mind feels young, my body is calling my mind a liar. Because I do not know how many years I have left (none of us do) I realize now more than ever the importance of making each and every moment count for the best.If you're still young, enjoy your youth because before you know it, it will fade. Enjoy your wife (or husband), enjoy your children and enjoy your parents - Jackie and Jamie :) . Although I had a hard childhood, God has blessed me with a wonderful family and I want to enjoy the rest of my days with them.
As I age I also realize the importance of my walk with the Lord. I am re-evaluating all aspects of my relationship with God. I think I need to take a break from somethings such a playing the guitar, singing and teaching Sunday School at church and concentrate on my personal relationship with the Lord and family. I want to go to church with my family as this is important to me. I ask for your prayers as I seek God's will and wisdom. I encourage you to look at your life as well. We only get one life and we need to make it the best life we can. After we die only a few things will really matter. Were we good to our spouse, our children, our parents and did we serve the Lord the best we could.
I'm tired, I don't feel good, I'll do it later... Excuses get us into trouble. I learned a lesson a while back and often I need to take action on that lesson. The lesson: when we let go of ourself and concentrate on others we tend to be happier and less stressed. How can this be? If I'm tired how can doing more revive me? It's an act of unselfishness and it does make you feel better. Try it, it does work.
"He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else."Benjamin Franklin
What exactly are the lazy days of summer? Surely mowing the grass in sweltering heat is not it. Today it was so hot and I was out this morning doing some yard work and then this afternoon doing some more. With the rain we have here I have to mow twice a week. I think about what it would be like to live on a beach and enjoying the tropical breezes coming off the water. But when I lived in Florida I didn't get to enjoy those tropical breezes that much and they didn't seem to ever reach my yard.
