E-Vangel
Newsletter
January
30, 2012
Christ
United Methodist Ministry Center
“Christ
in the Heart of San Diego”
3295
Meade Avenue
San
Diego, CA 92116
(619)
284-9205
Pastorgraphs: “The Dash”
When
I was about nine years old we moved from the farm at the northern base of
Graball Hill into a house on Williams Street in Yazoo City. Glenwood Cemetery
was a short walk from the house. I recall many walks through the graveyard,
reading headstones that dated back over 100 years. Some were ornate, indicating
the person came from a wealthy family. Others quite simple. But almost all told
only the name and the year of birth and death separated by “the dash”.
The
dash just doesn’t tell the whole story. Some lived amazingly long lives. Others
died as infants or small children. Sure, I could calculate what historical
events they lived though (the Civil War, the fire of 1904 that burned down most
of the town, the Great Depression, or the soldiers whose markers indicated they
paid the ultimate sacrifice in World War II.) A Revolutionary War Veteran is
buried there.
Obituaries
don’t tell the story, either, though some make valiant efforts to tell a life
story in two paragraphs. If you had to tell the major characteristics of your
life in 400 words or less, what would you say?
So
why am I on this morbid topic?
One
of the things I promised myself was to organize my filing cabinet when I had time.
In it are papers randomly collected from my birth certificate, my first pay
stub at WAZF radio station, school transcripts and awards, correspondence from
family and friends and colleagues.
The
filing cabinet is just two drawers. The bottom drawer contains mostly genealogy
research.
So
my “dash” is summed up in a single filing cabinet drawer. Doesn’t take long for
my whole life to flash before my eyes. A bit humbling; and I know most of what
is contained therein would have no meaning, even to those dearest to me.
I
think the psalmist may have been organizing his filing cabinet when he
exclaimed:
“LORD,
make me to know … how transient I am.”
(Psalm
39:4 New American Standard Bible)
Like
the psalmist, I realize how wonderfully blessed I have been. Life is short and
uncertain. There are highs points and low. There have been both pain and joy.
The constant in all the twists and turns of my life has been a loving,
forgiving and merciful God who has guided my path though the amazing gift of
life.
Files
organized: One more item checked off my bucket list. Now I’m ready to dash on
with the best of the rest of my days.
Devotedly, Brother
Bill
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