Oh, that I were 90!

Yesterday we celebrated Dorothy (Lemke) Sukstorf's 90th Birthday. All of her kids and most of her grandkids and great grandkids were there (excepting those at home with H1N1 or who had to work). It was a great party, even if we spent 8 hours in a car to get there and back.

Grandma was told many times over the past month that we would be honoring her on Sunday but, due to her memory issues, when she was brought into the party room and saw the tables decorated and the cake and some of her family who had begun the festivities, she was overcome with emotion and brought to tears of joy. She was especially pleased that me and my family had made the trip up from KC.

I got to thinking, what if each day were so new that we could only see the joy and opportunities that were unfolded before us? What if we were capable of forgetting all the hassles and pains of yesterday and to see each day as a blessing and each and every person we meet as a gift to treasure and behold.

I think that might be kind of like the vision John had when he wrote to the churches in Revalations. (see below) Pastor Reinke in his sermon Sunday talked about fixing our eyes on Jesus and on his second comming as we seek the Simple Church. I know that Grandma has her eyes fixed on Jesus, and for some reason, he has seen fit to ensure this through memory loss of the short term stuff. Perhaps each of us would do well to try to emulate the same sort of knowlege--forget about what happened yesterday or the day before and, instead, remembering the faith we received so long ago, look forward to the day when we will all see Jesus and live our lives toward that end and that goal.

My prayer for each of you today is that you too might forget the past and seek your future in Christ Jesus--whatever that is--which he has in store for you.

Peace,
RevnPadre

Revelation 21:1-7 NIV
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." 5 He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." 6 He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.