Last Friday, Saturday and Sunday were the best three days I have experienced for a while. Except for the midnight call about brush growing behind a residence, it was a near perfect weekend.
On Friday, I took the afternoon off and rode my motorcycle to my brother’s house. We visited on his porch for about an hour, and I returned home. At home was an old friend I had not seen in a couple of years. Also, a cousin from Colorado came to spend a couple of nights. He came to play in the Snowshoe Foundation Charity Golf Tournament and had never been to Marlinton or my home.
John moved from Barbour County to the Atlanta, Georgia, area more than 30 years ago. He moved on from there with companies that have kept him busy around the world working on various and sundry projects. We toured the county on Saturday, a beautiful day. We were at Cass to hear the train return to the station.
On Sunday, our church had an uplifting gospel music concert, that I wish everyone could have attended. At the close of the song service, we crossed the parking lot to the old Campbelltown Schoolhouse, where we joined together for a dinner fit for a king. What a great day. Family and church family. Food and fellowship.
The scripture says in Deuteronomy 30:19, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”
The answer seems so obvious: Choose life. Choose blessing.
Then, the first thing Monday morning comes the report of another tragic death in our community. Someone I had invited to church many times. At one point, I watched for him on Sunday mornings to be standing on Main Street, waiting for a ride to church.
Choices. Points to ponder in future days.
The joy of The Lord is our strength. The difference a Sunday song service and dinner with friends can make in every situation cannot be denied. Nor can it be overstated.
Thinking for a change will mean more to some than others. Life is more than working toward a recreational economy.
All else means little when compared to the personal struggles around us.
We have to choose to make a difference.