Korean War veteren Gearald Bowman was recently granted his dying wish to walk on the decks of the USS Laffey where he served for four years. Can you imagine what it was like to stand by his old bunk or to revisit the engine room where he worked on the ship some 60 years ago? He describes the service time as a life changing event.
What times or places have left an indelible mark on your soul? Marcia and I look back on the two years we lived in Australia when first married, or the years with Post Katrina mission work, or the one month mission in Bolivia. Each of these (and others) were times when God spoke deeply into our lives, close and lasting friendships were formed in extraordinarily short periods of time, and when our life vision was expanded far beyond ourselves.
In one sense, you can’t really ‘go back’ because it is a different place and you are now a different person. But do you sometimes feel a great desire to pay homage to a place, time, or person that influenced you greatly? Each wedding anniversary, Marcia and I reflect upon things, places and people that have influenced us over the years. And, especially with regard to people, we have increased our effort to speak appreciation to people who have influenced our lives. Some of them were quite surprised, not recalling any special contribution they made. But sometimes it’s not what others do or say, but what we observe in their lives.
You might not be actually able to make the trip to revisit a place that changed your life, but you hopefully you can speak appreciation to those who have spoken deeply into your lives. I hope the busyness of life doesn’t cause you to miss the opportunity.
What opportunities are there today or this week to simply live well in the face of adversity or more directly influence others? You never know. Your attitude and approach to life today, or some seemingly small gesture, may be a life changing event for someone else. . . or you.
BE the light. RUN to the darkness and let your light shine.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16
Amen! Praying for you. You are missed!!! 🙂