"Memories"

When time stands still,

Sometimes it will,

We want to hold it tight,

The moment sweet,

But we can’t keep,

‘Cause soon it’s out of sight.

A memory then,

Of what has been,

We treasure it a lot,

When we think back,

And our thoughts track,

The blessings we once got.

But are they gone,

An old, sad song,

And never gained again,

I think they live,

If we still give,

Them heart-space and amen.

I don’t live there,

But if the care,

Of this day’s pain and stress,

Gets too much,

I reach and touch,

Those moments, still the best.

I visit, then,

Come back again,

To this, my daily chore,

But good to know,

That I can go,

And open up that door.

Life’s measured by,

The days that lie,

In our yesterday,

Not breaths we take,

But those so great,

They take our breath away.

I praise my God,

For paths I’ve trod,

And moments kind and sweet,

I give Him praise,

Hands and heart raise,

My thanks to Him repeat.

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be…” (Psalm 39:4, NLT)

It’s happening and happening fast. Do you remember as a child how long a day seemed? Now weeks, months and even years fly by and we wonder where they went! We take a nap and wake up and our hair has turned gray or turned loose and what was once smooth is as wrinkled as a wadded up piece of paper! Maybe you don’t feel that way yet, but hang on ‘cause it’s coming! Still, life has its moments of wonder that we should cherish and always remember. Not to live in the past, mind you, but to visit often enough to be thankful and encouraged. To live thankfully means we learn to give thanks for every good gift, and praise the Lord even when we are going through difficulty. It’s His grace that makes life worth living, and to thankfully celebrate. God blesses endurance but graces us with enjoyment. So, praise on.

Lord, teach us to maximize our brief time on earth, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Jamie Means, jamiemeanswesternart.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Jamie, and God bless you.