Prayer Journal
Saturday, June 17, 2000
"The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden." 1 Tim 5:24,25
I walked through the cemetery this week, stepping over the graves of those around my family burial plot. As I looked down, I wondered what the story was behind the marker - their life, their death? Many of them died before I was born, some even this year - ages from young to very old.
Just four weeks before, I created a simple web memorial for my mom and dad and now, in just two days, I woul bury my mom's body beside my dad's - their birth, four years apart, their death almost thirty. It seemed surreal but as with everyone who experiences the death of a loved one, I felt vulnerable. The knowledge of my own mortality was ever present and real. My emotions now overtake me anywhere - in a single moment with a simple memory of my mom.
God had, sometime ago, placed within me the desire to record my own faith and testimony for the sake of my children and their children. But in these days I've been overwhelmed with the thought of failing to follow through. All these graves and all these lives will someday become like those of the graveyard behind the old country church A whole generation of memories and lessons buried and forgotten, only rarely mentioned along with the thought, "I wish I knew more about their lives."
This week my thirst for information has been insatiable. Every time I heard a story about my mom, I would listen closely and savor the moment, thinking, "Will this memory be buried with me?" "God, don't let it!"
"We're pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road, and those who've gone before us line the way. Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary, their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace." (1)
"Life is short - this thought too. Things don't matter but footprints do!
To die is gain, life's quickly o'er. Eternity waits, my spirit soars.
But this is now, and then is then. To plant His plan, satisfaction wins.
To God be glory, He's worthy of praise. I'll step firm in love through all my days.
The marks I leave must lead somewhere. Oh that my seed will know of His care.
They'll serve below - I'll praise till I meet the Lord who left me a trail for my feet." (2)
(1) "Find Us Faithful" by Jon Mohr (c)1987,1990 Jonathan Mark Music & Birdwing Music, div of The Sparrow Corp.
(2) "Prints" by James R. Green, September 1, 1992
(3) Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
(4) The images used herein were obtained from the Learning Company's ClickArt Christian Graphics Deluxe product, (c)1999 The Learning Company, Inc and its subsidiaries, 88 Roland Way, Novato, CA 94945 USA. All Rights Reserved.
Pray for Missions and Missionaries today.
