It Was One of Those Days

But back to the waiting room, where the worst was yet to come.  Seated among a crowd of sight seekers, awaiting eye exams or  pupils to dilate, some napped, looked around or read.  There must be something about me that makes some feel comfortable sharing their stories or requests. In this case, the man to my left began to sharing his work with cemeteries.

Granted the folks seated around the waiting area seemed to be my age or older.  So, I’m guessing talking about cemeteries was  hitting a little too close to home.  I was nervous he’d try to sell me a plot or an urn. Undeterred by my body language, he announced, LIKE WE WERE ALL HARD OF HEARING,  that he was in the grave business and their motto was, “You can trust us. We’ll be the last to let you down.”   I laughed, but more like a nervous tittering.  Fortunately, the technician called my name and off I went.

Afterwards, by faith, I scheduled my annual appointment, then donned my usual sunglasses and headed for my car. Since I had a few errands to run, and my eyes were still sensitive to light, I kept my sunglasses on.  To my amazement, doors opened, folks stepped aside to let me pass.  It was like kindness made a comeback.  Then I realized I had on dark glasses and was using my cane, which, as some of you know, I call “Abel.” It’s apt since we’re studying Genesis in Community Bible Study this year. And  my cane, like Abel the shepherd, keeps me from harm, as in stable and able.  

Oh well, I’m grateful to be the age I am.  It has its challenges and  rewards.  Like Wednesday, when I spoke to a gathering of Gordon College donors at the   Clarendon Society luncheon. It felt good to meet some current students, as well as  alums, retired faculty, staff, and trustees who are part of this group of folks, some younger or older than I.  It was a reminder to be faithful and choose to invest in those who will follow.

So, I concluded with the story of King David, as told in II Samuel 22 . You can also find more  in I Chronicles 29.  Harold Myra in his book, One Year of Encouragement, says, “This may be David at his best.”  How so? Well, after learning through Nathan, the prophet, that God chose Solomon, not David, to build His Temple, David didn’t sulk. He sat. 

But this was not slumping into a seat, full of disappointment or despair.  “David went in and sat before the Lord.” ( II Samuel 22:18)  He praises, thanks and worships God.  Granted, Nathan tells him that God will establish David’s throne forever, but that takes faith and trust in God’s words.  In the meantime, the Temple will have Solomon’s name attached to David’s dream.

Still, David  gathers materials, plus gold, silver  from his personal treasury.  Why? He is all in, when it comes to helping  his son, Solomon, succeed. And that is also the purpose of The Clarendon Society, to support the next generation of Gordon students to become all God’s called them to be. 

So,  while I’ve not gotten around to sending you a blog of humor, there’s a smile or two in this one.  But even more important, encouragement to take joy and purpose from supporting and blessing those who are coming along behind us.   And to stay teachable,  willing to relinquish rather than clutch to what was and who we once were. 

Remember, God is full of surprises.  Good ones.  So stay hopeful and open handed to receive what God has in store.  For sure, the best is yet to come.