Max's Weekly Musings
Vol. 11, No. 18, for the week of June 8 - 14, 2008
Musings on the Uncertainty of Life

I had the privilege last weekend of traveling with my son-in-law, Dan, to San Francisco.  He was scheduled to work at the Merck Booth during the American Diabetes Association meeting there.  So, while he was at the booth, I remained in our hotel room and got some quality time for study and reflection.  I was enabled to get several projects that we at the top of my "summer to-do" list done.  In the evenings we would catch the trolley just outside the hotel and go down to the Pier along the Wharf.  Saw the sea lions - what a noisy bunch they were.  Enjoyed some famous clam chowder, and just became fascinated watching people.  Lots of people.  Lots of very different people.  Lots of people with very strange behaviors.  And lots of homeless people.  It was a great experience and a wonderful weekend.

Late this afternoon Marlys and I will be driving down to a very soggy Ankeny, IA.  We remember the great Iowa floods of 1993 - known as the "flood of the century."  Well, we have been told that these floods are worse than those.  The plan is for Barry, Josiah, and me to drive to Springfield, IL tomorrow for a weekend with "good ole Abe Lincoln."  Marlys will spend time with Carol, Meghan and Carson.  We are hoping for some dry weather. 

I was reminded this morning of just how uncertain is our life.  I had taken our car into the local service station for an oil change.  I have taken it there since we have lived here in Albertville.  The last couple of times I had noticed that a young mechanic by the name of Sam was not working.  I did not give it much thought as mechanics seem to just flow through these small town service stations.  But this morning I asked my regular mechanic if Sam still worked there.  His reply shocked me.  He said that about two months ago, while on his way home from work, Sam had fallen asleep at the wheel of his car and had been killed in a car accident.  He was only 23.  Then I heard of four young teen-aged boy scouts in Iowa who were killed yesterday by a tornado.  I was reminded that the only guarantee we have is that this life will end...and we do not know when or how that ending will occur.  I am 61, and I know that I am getting closer to the end.  I know what Moses wrote in Psalm 90 that our days are 70 or 80.  Then he reminds us that we are to number our days so that we use them aright.  Twenty-three year old Sam, and four teenaged boys - all just really beginning their lives - and now they are gone.  Were they ready to go?  I had visited with Sam on several occasions.  He was a very likable young man.  He seemed to have a good perspective on life.  We even talked of spiritual matters one time as he was putting new tires on my car.  Yet, I don't know if Sam knew the Lord.  Were those young boys there in at the Scout Camp in Iowa ready to go?

My friends, we do not know the hour of our home-going.  And none of us can write the script for that time.  It simply behooves us to accept each day as a gift from the Lord.  It comes with His blessings and His merciful provisions.  Each day is another opportunity for us to proclaim, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."  Each day we can rediscover anew that He is our shelter in the time of storm, He is our rock in a weary land, He is our hope for tomorrow, He is the one who can turn our mourning into gladness. 

Friends, enjoy today as a gift from the Lord.  And, when the day closes, thank Him for the privilege you had of serving Him another day.  After what I heard this morning, I know I will.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Our days are identical suitcases - all the same size - but some people can pack more into them than others.  (Grit)