A SHIRT, A GUITAR, LOVE & COMMITMENT

37 years ago, WOW!!!  Such a long time ago that seems just yesterday.  At 18 years old, I couldn’t imagine being 37, after all my mom was just 39 and she was getting old.  Today, I sit and reminisce.  How did we cram so many memories into such a short span?  How does 37 years pass so swiftly?  How did I get to be 55?  We were so young, so much in love, so full of dreams and plans, so fearless as we stepped into life together.  It has been quite a journey and I am so thankful we’ve walked it, stumbled, sometimes skipped and other times carried each other, but always together; side by side.

All of my friends have heard me tell the story of our huge family walking into the little church on Mattis Avenue in Rockford, IL.  My eyes immediately focused on the young man sitting on the platform, playing a guitar.  Oh yeah, the most important part of the story, the “western” shirt with tiny orange flowers, your sleeves were rolled up and you took my breath away. It took you 2 whole months to ask me out and that’s when the journey started.   

I loved your gorgeous, thick hair, (at 55, the envy of all of your men friends), your kindness, your off-the-wall sense of humor, but most of all your devotion and commitment to God.  I was raised on a church pew, we actually went 4 times every week, and I knew I wanted a Godly man.  But, your love for God blew me away and actually scared me a little because I didn’t know if I could live up to that in my own life.  Somehow, even at 18, I was able to grasp how your commitment to God would translate into love, devotion and commitment to me and I was not about to let that get away.

That love and devotion was portrayed in a story that few people have ever heard.  We had been dating for a few months and the attraction had deepened to young love.  As our relationship progressed, the temptation to go beyond the boundaries also grew.  Your relationship with God was too precious to allow it to be destroyed by a premature moment.  We agreed to take time away from each other…that was the hardest week of my life.  The other part of the story is that because of your love for me, you didn’t want my parents to think you were “dumping” me; you wanted them to know you truly respected and cared for me, so you went and talked with them.  I was so mad, but you won my Mom and Dad’s hearts forever.  37 years later, I think back on this story with tears in my eyes; what a precious gift you are and how I have always felt so cherished by you.

It’s been quite a trip.  Sometimes a “Roller Coaster Ride”, other times a “Sunday Afternoon Drive” and many times a “Bumpy Ride” down a path filled with ruts but we just kept driving forward, together.  Someday we will take that Hawaiian vacation, we talk about, buy that motor home and become “snow birds,” but tonight I will celebrate by returning to where it all began, in church.  I’ll be listening to your voice as you preach the Word of God, totally convinced; 37 years later this is exactly where I want to be.

STILL IN THE RACE

Our years are comprised of a lifetime of seasons; spring, summer, autumn and winter.  Every season is full of success, drama, crisis, failure and hope; hope that the next season will be better than the last.  During “Spring,” we are invincible; the “world is our oyster;” whatever that means. Nothing is impossible if we are willing to go get it.  As we move into “Summer,” reality sets in, our dreams mature and we begin to fill our trophy case with accomplishments.  Oh sure, we let go of some dreams but so many still await us, just over the horizon.  “Autumn” brings a “midlife crisis.”  Our trophy case looks a bit empty and some of the trophies have become a bit tarnished.  We begin to realize that the trophies of some dreams have been won by another and will never fill our case, so we get a tattoo, buy a Harley or go Zip Lining to remind ourselves and our world, “we’ve still got it.”  It is the “Winter” that brings peace.  Life slows down and we begin to reflect on the things that were. The unrealized dreams fade in their importance and we realize that the trophies are just reminders of the Legacy of our Life. 

I began to examine my own Trophy Case.  As I loving held each trophy, the memories flooded my mind.  Oh the feeling of accomplishment, as I accepted this one.  The hard work that went into receiving that one; oh yah, girl, you certainly earned that one.  I moved down the shelf and pulled out 2^nd and 3^rd place awards.  I put forth just as much effort for these but the memories weren’t quite as sweet.  I still heard my name called, stood on the stand, and still received an award; I just hadn’t been able to accomplish all that I desired.  Then I spied the most precious trophy in my collection.

Way in the back, practically unnoticed and a little tarnished sits a small trophy.  The engraved plaque reads simply, “PARTICIPATION.”  The others represent accomplishments and fulfilled dreams but this small award is my Legacy.  I haven’t always been in first place but I’M STILL IN THE RACE.  I may have stumbled, taken a wrong turn or stopped to get my second wind along the way, but I’M STILL IN THE RACE.  I can’t quite see the Finish Line yet, but I hear the cheers from a “great crowd of witnesses” and I’M STILL IN THE RACE.

The Apostle Paul gives us a glimpse into his “Trophy Case” in 2 Timothy 4:6-7 “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

What a Legacy.  Paul had no way of knowing that over 2,000 years later his simple words in a letter to his beloved Timothy would live on to encourage and spur millions toward the finish line.  The trophy may read simply, “PARTICIPATION” but look closely and you will see a few battle scars from the fight and a few scrapes from stumbling along the route.  Your lungs may be screaming for air and your muscles may have expended all their energy but your faith stands strong and you are STILL IN THE RACE.  The trophy is just a memento but Paul reminds all who participate and finish of the real award in verse 8,  ^“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  

Don’t stop now, keep running!  We can all be 1^st Place winners and a Crown of Righteousness waits, if you STAY IN THE RACE!!!