December 10, 2013
"But encourage one another daily, as
long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's
deceitfulness." (Hebrews 3:13)
I don't know about all of you, but this
has been an extremely tough week for many folks out there. .. I know that in my
own Church family, most everyone I came into contact with was up against
difficulties of various sorts. .... Now I'm not sure if it's because of the
holidays, which seem to always amplify everything ... or because the world as
we know it is falling apart all around us ... but whatever, this week just
seemed extreme, for some reason .....
While I was out and about a couple of
days ago, I had a moment of quiet time in my car ... So I dug out an old CD of
mine I had recorded back in the late
1980's ... so I listened for a bit to old memories and thoughts of the past.
... While doing so, I happened across a
song I'd written about my dad ...a song about how time goes by so quickly and
how many things seem left undone. ... In fact, not to long ago I was asked to
sing it at a life-long friend's memorial service. ... His wife had reminded me
that it was one of their favorite songs, plus it seemed appropriate for the
moment for her. .....
While dwelling on these memories and the
lyrics of that song, I began to realize that it was very relevant to all of
this week's heartaches and difficulties people seemed to be facing ... of how
quickly life can change and how unprepared we are to deal with it ... how many
things we had intended to say but suddenly went by unsaid ... and how all of a
sudden, it was too late .....
Let me now share with you those lyrics,
and then I'll conclude with a final thought .....
- Time Keeps
Slippin' Away -
I've been standing on the edge of time - wondering where .. I belong
Feelin' strange like something left untold - How can it .. be said in a
song
I've been shedding tears - 'cause the years keep slippin' away
It's pushing time to go - But I'm still wanting to stay
To share those feelings now - It's time - If not they will go away
I know it must be soon - 'cause time keeps slippin' away
Looking long as shadows of the past - drift along .. no where do they
lite
Like a song that has a hidden link - O so close .. but just out of sight
I've been hiding fears - 'cause this life keeps slippin' away
The grains of timeless sand - keep running their own way
A moment not to soon - It's now - If not they will go away
I know it must be soon - 'cause time keeps slippin' away
So here's my hope and prayer for each of
you this Christmas season .. and beyond. ... Too many times I've witnessed
folks who's hearts are broken because there was something they wished they''d
have said or done, but all of a sudden, it was too late. ... So now, for just a
moment ... STOP! ... Turn off the phones and computers and TV sets ... clear
the room of what or who may interrupt you ... then make a list of who you need
to tell something to ... someone you want to just put your arm around and thank
them ... to show gratitude to some person that's made a difference in your life
... to exhort some poor, lonely soul that may never hear anything good .... to
tell your mom or dad how much you love them and how grateful you are for how
they sacrificed all those years to make your life better .... to forgive
someone, or ask forgiveness for something you may have done ...... but
whatever, make the list!
As we grow older, if we are completely
honest with ourselves, there is something we wish we would have said or done to
or for someone, but now it's too late. ... We can't go back, but we can make a
difference going forward. ..... and
remember this one thing ... Time keeps slippin' away ...
Until next time,
Red