Remembering a Friend

This has been a very hard week. Last Friday, I received word that a friend, Michael , had been taken home to be with the Lord. I met Michael in Sunday school, towards the end of November. I was impressed with his easy-going nature, and genuine interest in what people had to say. His smile would light up the room, and even if you were having a bad day, you would soon be smiling as well. I soon found out that Michael had a strong faith in God, and lived his faith. He was a shining light to all who came in contact with him.

I didn't know Michael as well as I would have liked to, but it wasn't in the Lord's plan for me to get to know him better on this side of eternity. But one day, I shall! What a glorious day that shall be! It didn't take long to realize that Michael LOVED being outdoors, and any activity that involved risk. All one had to do was look at his pictures on Facebook to tell that he had a grand time on all of his adventures.

Wednesday would have been his 22nd birthday, and although many feel that he was taken so early in his life, God has a plan in all of this. The Lord knew when he created Michael, exactly how long he would walk on this earth, and everyone who would be impacted by his life. Although we may never know why God chose to take him home, we have a hope and a peace that Michael is worshiping at the feet of Jesus! It is such a comforting thought to know that he is with his Creator, and that one day we will join him there.

I would ask all of you to remember his family in prayer.

The following poem was written by my friend, Charissa.

'Tis a blessing in disguise
this robbery of life from the young

We see it and cry
yet, it is the essence of longing

The fountain of youth,
it has been truly discovered in this

How many grew old searching?
their life disproving their search

There are those who will be forever young
those who never grew old on this earth

The fountain of youth
it is the cup of death

Do not shudder
it is nothing you can seek and find

It lies only in Divine will
And he appoints to whom He desires

Those around us who have this mandate
to be in our minds forever young

They seem to live more than others
their flame never dims

The flickering of a weak flame
it is never their fate

It is bright! Shining for a time
and then snuffed in an instant

But while it burns
There is a brighter light among us

These lives are truly lived
truly given as a gift

Let us treasure and remember
the forever young

They stay, unchanging in time
like a song repeating but never growing dull

A brighter light! A richer life!
A sweeter tune that never grows old

Time cannot change their face
death has conquered age

Live on, oh young!
Forever in our hearts as so.

This was sent to me in an e-mail, and I found it very interesting.

Dear Friends and Family,

I just finished reading Sarah Palin's book. I think I now understand more fully than ever before why the liberals are attacking her so strongly. It is not just the libs; it is not just the Democrats or even the liberal wing of the Republican Party; it is Satan. He is behind it all. Even if you do not read or even purchase the book, find a copy and read the very last two paragraphs under the acknowledgment section. Here is a woman who is not afraid. I believe that if this woman was the president of our country, things would happen; God would use her to do wondrous things for this nation because she is not afraid to give God the credit for all she is, has or does. After reading this book, I could strongly support her for president in 2012. Read that section and try to imagine those same words coming from the mouth of our current president. I don't think so.

Government should do for people only what they cannot do for themselves. A. Lincoln

Yikes!

On my way to the post office this morning, I happened to look in my rear view mirror, and what did I see? A Sheriff's car right behind me! My heart did a little flip flop, and I slowed my speed, cause I really had not been paying attention, and all of a sudden I became the world's best, and most responsible driver! I came to a stop at the intersection, put on my turn signal, and looked both ways before proceeding with caution. I let out a little sigh of relief when I saw that he went the other direction. Why is it that we only take caution in our driving when there is a police officer right behind us? Even when the officer is not there, God is, and we should strive to do our best not only in driving, but in everything that we do in this life, to please Him. This reminds me of a story from the Children's Book of Virtues, called, Someone Sees You. It is about a man who decided to steal from his neighbors fields, and takes his daughter along to stand watch, and to call out if anyone is watching. All of a sudden she calls out to her father, "someone sees you." The father looks around, when he sees noone, he continues what he was doing. After his daughter calls several time that "someone sees you" and he obviously does not see what she does, he asks, "Why in the world do you keep saying that someone sees me? I've looked everywhere, and I don't see anyone." when the child replies "Father, someone sees you from above." God is watching our every move, waiting to see what we will do, and how we will respond to things. So remember "someone sees you", and that someone is our Heavenly Father.