In Not So Many Words

Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off  everything that hinders the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

As I looked at the listing of obituaries, I found it interesting how our whole life can be summed up in a paragraph. It's what we do in that paragraph that makes a difference.

Most will have families listed, some will tell about where someone worked or served, and all have the person's birth date and day of death. This made me wonder if I am make enough difference.

This past Friday, we celebrated the life of a great man my Uncle Bill. It was a nice service celebrating his service to the Jacksonville Fire Department. He was honored as a hero. Quite a fitting tribute to a man who helped train a lot of EMT's.

This was a part of his life I really didn't even pay attention to. He was my Uncle Bill. I am not sure I even realized he was a firefighter until one time I noticed a emergency radio device at their house. It was kind of strange to me since it let you know when there was an emergency call and which fire department was responding.

When we would come to visit Uncle Bill, Aunt Rachel, Becky and Karen, we were there as a family. My brother and I were impressed with the stairs, we lived in a one story so stairs were a novelty. Their home was also located on a canal where we could fish or take a canoe out. It was an adventure visiting and I loved every minute of it! My Uncle Bill and Dad are brothers, not only did they share a birthday seven years apart but they looked a lot alike. So to me Uncle Bill was just a different version of my dad.

After my husband and I were married, our oldest son was born on Uncle Bill and my dad's birthday. It's pretty awesome that three people shared the same birthday!

Sometimes Uncle Bill would even get to camp with us, he brought his oldest grandson along and we'd have a wonderful weekend. Uncle Bill even sold us his trailer for what he owed on it, so we could upgrade from the popup since our kids were getting older. This was such a wonderful gift for us since we couldn't afford a brand new trailer. He then he bought himself a motor home saying it would be better for him anyway.

We even got to surprise Uncle Bill with the help of his second wife Aunt Melba, for his 70th birthday with a sleepover. The three birthday guys didn't get to celebrate together often, so this was an awesome opportunity. In fact, just a couple years ago we had the three birthday guys together along with my nephew for a quadruple birthday celebration.

Uncle Bill was a wise man, a kind man, and a man who cared deeply for his family. He lived his life to the fullest and fought hard to beat the cancer. He ran the good race and made a difference. I, along with many others will miss him, but know one day we will meet again.  I love you Uncle Bill!

Blinding Light

"As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?'" Acts  9:3-4 NIV

Have you ever had a blinding experience? One when you couldn't see anything. It happened to me the other day as I was driving on a toll road. I came around the curve of a crazy merge place and there in front of me was the sun filling up my entire windshield with a bright beaming light. The sun visor didn't help at all.

The trouble was I had just seen the car in front of me begin to slow down and then I couldn't even see it. In that split second a began to slam on my brakes with the thought in my head that I can't stop completely on the interstate or I'll get reared ended. Then just as quick as it blinded me everything became clear again.

During this entire occurrence I never once thought, could God be trying to get my attention?

I wonder what Saul thought when a light from heaven flashed all around him. Did he wonder if the people in front of him were stopping? Did he think this is annoying, how am I ever going to get to Damascus on time?

Can you imagine his surprise when Jesus spoke to him?

Saul was trying to take things into his own hands by getting rid of the Christians. He thought he was doing what he was supposed to do. But soon God spoke to him and he got his attention in the best way he knew how. Saul changed his ways when he became a follower of Jesus.

God gets our attention in the ways He knows we need. The question is do we pay attention? Do we accept and change?

My drive down the interstate wasn't my wake up call. Mine came in the back of a small church when I was a teen and then again when I was about to lose everything. My life has been forever changed, and for that I am glad.