I had many, many ideas and plans. After the initial change, months went by. I knew it was now our responsibility. I asked myself repeatedly, "What can we put up on the sign?" Finally, last week, armed with some enlarged copies of churches in our community from a presentation my husband did at the local youth center, we changed the display. "Now more than ever, we need these....Support and attend our local churches", reads the main caption.
The disciples asked Jesus about a sign once. ""When will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3). His answer takes up the rest of the chapter. It includes this: "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come...you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
Jacquelyn commented on my post yesterday telling of a conversation she'd had with a minister's wife.
We were talking about transitions they are going through in their semi-retirement and twilight years--she said she wants to "make the last lap the best." Their son, our pastor, told us that each morning they toast their orange juice glasses and say "this may be the day"...looking towards eternity...but then they have faithfully continued to labor in ministry roles.
Isn't that beautiful?! This MAY BE the day! We must be ready!
One never knows nor is promised another day and some days are much harder than the others but you are so right....we always should be ready as this may be the day.....:-) hugs
ReplyDeleteSo nice of you to take care of the sign and such a wonderful start! Beautiful idea and wonderful Bible verse too!
ReplyDeleteI think that's my problem a lot, I always think I have 'more time' to make my life right for the next life instead of living each day as this might be 'The Day of Reckoning'! I always think about that Bible verse about "the eleventh hour" and I pray that I at least make that! So many times I pray "Please, God, let me at least make it into the fold before it's too late."
I know that sounds crazy, and it is crazy to lay it all on God like it's His doing and not my own actions that will determine my after life.
Last night I crazily brought up something to my husband that is done, dead, over-with, but I revived it, and in my heart I'm hearing God say, "Eileen, stop this, it's mean-spirited, it's not what I want for you to be doing to this good man" and I didn't listen! In fact, in my heart I'm answering God saying, "I can't stop it." I just kept on and on, as if getting my point across was the most important thing on earth at that minute. And even after my husband apologized for the millionth time, I kept at it just to make sure my point was driven home.
What's wrong with me?
I'm trying to teach my grandson self-control. I should be teaching myself!
Seriously, I keep talking a lot about a change of heart, but doing very little about getting there. It doesn't matter how many Bible verses I read, or how many Bible studies I do, or how many prayer journals I keep, it's all for naught if I don't live it.
Your posts often get me to do some serious soul searching. Thank you.
Love and Prayers,
Eileen
Good reminder to live every day purposefully and to the fullest. I like what you did with the signs--good idea!
ReplyDeleteEileen, If Bernie thinks I'm too hard on myself (her comment on my Power, Love, and Self-control blog), I wonder what she thinks about YOU!? It's a good thing we have Marcy to keep us lightened up!
ReplyDeleteLove seeing a town post office willing to house local church promotion! You go girl...
ReplyDeleteThis may be the day! Wouldn't that be something?!
peace~elaine
Good for both of you for maintaining the sign. I love the double meaning of your title.
ReplyDeleteYour love of our Lord shines...
Always,
Jackie
Clarification - the sign stands next to the post office - I don't think it is owned by the post office. It is maintained by the Greater Harlan Business Association and several members of the GHBA are ministers representing their churches.....
ReplyDeleteRebecca, this is so terrific, what a great way to evangelize...thanks for doing this!
ReplyDeleteAnd each moment is the only moment we have, so let's make the most of each one and spread the joy of Jesus and pray alot!
blessings and hugs,
marcy
Hi Rebecca!'
ReplyDeleteIt was so clever of you to take over the sign. Especially if it's just been sitting unchanged. I loved your post and am still thinking about your husband and the 29th. I hope you will let us know how things go. I am still praying for you.
Love Di
If I could butt in here just for a second, I'd like to say to Eileen:
ReplyDeleteMy heart was so with you when I read your comment here. I don't mean to be preachy, but I used to have those same thoughts and feelings. Finally I came to realize that we really CAN give up all that striving and just rest in the grace of God. Everything we need for this life and the next has already been accomplished for us. Our culture is so based on performance orientation, that we tend to carry that thinking over into our spiritual lives as well.
So the next time you are tempted to "put it all on God"...go ahead and do just that! There's not a bloomin' thing we can do to earn our way with God. He's already provided for that in Jesus. All we can do is acknowledge that He has the power to transform our thinking by renewing our mind. Oh it is such a load lifted off of us when we lay that burden down. Our small group has coined an acronym: "YEBL" which reminds us what Jesus himself said "Yoke easy, burden light".
I'll be praying for you, dear one. We all go through these times now and then, but God is still right there, with outstretched arms. Run, don't walk! :)
Rebecca, I just love your sharing of your small town stuff. How wonderful that you have taken on the maintenance of that sign.
ReplyDeleteHere's a quote I've often used, and is from Jim Elliott: "Make sure when it comes time to die, that all you have to do is die."
When my dad was in the hospital for the last time, he wanted so badly to go home. He HATED hospitals! He was finally released to home hospice care for his final week on earth (an awesome experience, I might add). When told he would be released from the hospital, he said "Am I supposed to be preparing to die? I'm not afraid to die." He truly had nothing left to "do"...
Not only do we not know when our Lord will come, we do not know if we will go to Him first. Every day is a gift and an opportunity. Thanks for the reminder!
First, you gotta love the small towns!
ReplyDeleteSecond, I'm Ready!
Your so clever and God inspired!!! God knew you would know what to do with that poor neglected sign that would glorify Him. :)
ReplyDeleteThe next one ought to be simpler to come up with. Christmas is a "no-brainer" when it comes to representing the Greater Harlan Business Association!
ReplyDeleteYou are truly a blessing and I am sure the people of your community appreciates the thought and prayer that went into your sign.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your story of the elderly Pastor and his wife toasting every morning with their orage juice glasses. I think that is something my hubby and I will start doing. It keeps our lives in perpective, today could be the day we will be with the Lord!! Praise Be to God!!!