A Second Chance

You only go ‘round once in life so make it all you can.
There are no do-over’s to make it right, no chance to start again.
Words that once escape your lips can never be recast.
And the opportunity that comes today may very well be the last.

This wisdom seems self-evident to all the human race.

Of course the past is past and the outcomes we must face.
But let each new day remind us of the Grace that comes so free
That offers now to all who seek, a Second Chance to be.

To be the friend who encourages, lifts up and makes one glad.

To be the one to lead the way through valleys deep and sad
To be a beacon shining out, a light in which to dance.
To be all that He intends when He gives the Second Chance.

WORDS

At times, I’m inspired to many words,
‘Tho ‘tis better to speak a few.
‘Tis better far, if the truth be known,
To speak
                    Not a word
                                             At all.

To Know and To Be Known

Perhaps the greatest need we have as individuals is the need for intimacy; that is to know someone and to be known by them. We are created to be relational individuals, and we are fulfilled only when we have the right kind of relationships with others. First and foremost, we are created to have a relationship with our Creator. No one, not even ourselves can know us like God knows us. He created us. We exist only in Him. Not only has He created us, but He also sustains us. He knows every cell, every nerve, every thought and attitude that we have. He understands our motives even better than we understand them. If God were to withdraw from us, then we would cease to exist; we would disintegrate. (Acts 17:24-28; Hebrews 2:10). So, if our greatest need is to know and to be known, then no one can fulfill the “be known” side of the equation like He can. HE KNOWS US. So how can we fulfill the other side of that equation: to know Him. He created us to know Him, so it is not only a possibility to know God, but it is the purpose for which we are designed.

God makes Himself known to us, that is, to ALL people, regardless of our education, intelligence, race, or any other “label” we can put on an individual. (Matthew 11:27; 1 Corinthians 1:21;). God will use whatever means that He has allowed us to have at our disposal and whatever means that we might understand in order to reveal Himself to us. As it tells us in Romans 1:18-20, even those who do not have the advantage of someone sharing the Gospel with them; even those who do not have the printed, written Word of God available to them or even have no knowledge of it; even to those God will choose to reveal Himself. Our knowledge of God comes ONLY as He chooses to reveal Himself to us, for we have no other means of knowing Him (John 1:18; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4). So what means do we, in America, have of knowing God? First and foremost, the primary way in which God will reveal Himself to us is through His written Word, the Bible. As we read the Bible, He will reveal Himself to us. Additionally, there is prayer and meditation; that is, communication or dialog with God. We must talk to Him in prayer as He shows us in His Word. And we must listen for Him to talk to us as we reflect on His Word and as we pray. So prayer is both speaking and listening. It is through the work of His Holy Spirit that He communicates to us through our prayer and meditation on Him. We also get to know God through “fellowship” with other Christians; that is, individuals who have developed a more mature relationship and knowledge of God than we. All knowledge about God must be tested and compared with the standard of Truth, the Bible.

Our knowledge of God and our relationship with Him is dynamic; it should be ever growing. However our fulfillment in the relationship and our satisfaction with the relationship will be realized as soon as we begin to seek Him and to know Him. A practical example of how this knowledge and satisfaction works might be seen in that of a highly trained, educated and experienced master of classical music. He would have an understanding of the nuances of music; the moods, the chords, the tempo, and how all these play together to communicate the message of the composer. If he and I were to attend a concert of classical music by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, we would both greatly enjoy the music. Although, while he listened, he would detect all the changes in the music which would go completely undetected by my ear, that would not lessen my enjoyment of the concert. He would have a capacity of enjoyment far greater than mine, but we could both enjoy it to the fullest of our knowledge and ability. So it is with the knowledge of God. As we begin to know and learn about Him, we will have a satisfaction in our relationship with our Creator that would be just as fulfilling as that of a much more “mature” believer. At the same time, it will create within us a hunger, a desire, to know Him further.

The wonder, the adventure of knowing our Creator, indeed the Creator of the entire Universe, cannot be matched by any other adventure in life. We soon realize that, not only does God know us infinitely, He also loves us infinitely. This realization can be overwhelming. Knowing us infinitely and intimately, means He knows ALL of our faults; ALL of our weaknesses; ALL of our failures; and STILL He loves us infinitely. So we cannot, as humans, realize our purpose or design without the knowledge of our Creator. This relationship is the model for our marriage relationship. Although no one, not even our spouse, can ever know us as God does, it is with our spouse that we are to know and be known. And it is our spouse that we are to love and be loved by just as in our relationship with God. The marriage relationship is the closest human relationship there is to that of our Creator. It is to be the primary and the most important of all human relationships; taking precedent over mother, father, children, or anyone else.

So we are designed to fulfill our greatest human need, to know and to be known, with our marriage partner. This will mean, for us, that we seek to know and to understand our spouse; that we honor and respect them as individuals; that we love them unconditionally, even as we are loved by God. And it will mean that we will seek to allow ourselves to be known by our spouse. We will be honest, transparent, open. We will allow ourselves to be loved.

My Wife, My Love, My Life

Unfortunately, we men, most of the time, or until its too late, don't fully realize the true gift which God has given to us. It isn't our manhood, for that is fragile; it isn't our strength, for that will fade; it certainly isn't our looks, for those too will become a thing of the past. No, it isn't any of these, but it is the woman which He has put into our lives. A woman, a lover, a friend, a counselor, an advisor, and much, much more, He has packaged for us into one beautiful person. How we treat that person; how we respect her; how we love her; will determine whether she will be able to completely fulfill each and all of these roles given to her, designed for us. Each day I am able to see a little more of my wonderful gift; more of who she is; more of how she loves me; more of how much richer my life is because of her. My encouragement to those men who are walking the path of life a few years behind me would be to open you eyes; look deeply into this priceless gift; treasure her beyond all other things which He has given you. If you do, you, too, will find that she has been gifted and fitted especially for you.
I wrote the following a few years ago in reflection of the years gone by and in anticipation of the years to come. It expressed my feelings then, and all the more so now.

I am not sure how much I understood of love

when I was eighteen, twenty, or even twenty-two.
I know that I liked that you liked me...
you accepted me, you were my friend.
I am not quite sure why you liked me,
but you showed me in all kinds of small ways.
I could have no doubt that I was "special" to you.
This young love continued to grow
as I learned more about you...
who you are, what you are.
We shared our dreams of what we wanted in life.
We completed our love together
as we began our life as husband and wife.
Children expanded our love and caused it
to grow even more.
I learned much from you as I saw you
teach our children, care for them, and
show them how to live their life.
Your patience, your steadfastness, understanding,
calmness even in turmoil.
They learned well, as is now apparent.
I have learned, but not quite as well.
You still show me what it is like
to be a friend.
I haven't learned, or at least applied,
these actions as well as I need. But
I am still learning.
If I loved you at nineteen for what you
did for me and would do for me,
then I love you all the more at fifty-nine
because of what you have done for me
and what you continue to do for me
every day.
I love you because you are still
my friend...
because you not only care for me,
but you have devoted your live to us...
my family is your family. You love them;
you make them feel special because of your
thoughts expressed in your actions toward them.
So, how can I make our days together
something for you?
After all you have done for me.
How can I be the friend to you
that you have been to me all these years?
How can I show you how much I love you?
These are the questions I continue to ask myself.
As usual, I need your help in finding the answer.

That Night

There are some special times that will never be forgotten. Even as we hold on to such memories, we live in the present to make it just as memorable!

The mem’ry of that night still lingers on,
Unended by the breaking of the dawn.
Your kiss, your touch, the fragrance of your hair,
Your warm embrace, the way you show you care.
My one true love you mean so much to me.
Enthralled in your love I will ever be.

I Don't Have Time

I don't have time today. Isn't that such a feeble excuse that is used so many times. This morning I feel something stirring within that wants to come out as words: a poem, a reflection, or just a memo.... I don't know. But, alas, there is also the rush of the schedule for the day; things to do; obligations to meet. The thoughts, once repressed, will likely not come again, at least not the same, maybe in some other form, but not the same. It has happened before. I will wait until I have time... but then the thoughts get lost in my busyness, and never come again. So, I will sacrifice the thoughts of reflection this morning on the altar of expediency.
And I wonder: what else do I sacrifice on this altar which calls so often for my devotion? Other than thoughts and reflections; maybe opportunities; maybe relationships. Will they come again? Likely not; at least, not exactly the same; something will be lost.

The Lighthouse

I kept watch on this ancient shore, made safe within my light.
Though winds and waves against me war, I kept the course aright.
Now I stand tall, an empty shell, no light within to shine.
Below they play and stories tell, and ‘round my base they dine.