A Walk Down Memory Lane
The memory of the just is blessed........(Proverbs 10:7)
"As I travel on life's pathway.
Know not what the years may hold:
As I ponder, hope grows fonder,
Precious memories flood my soul."
(J.B.F. Wright)
Seventy three years ago, my precious father shed these earthly bonds. Twenty-seven years ago, my loving mother departed this life. Twenty-eight years ago, my precious daughter followed, crossing over into eternity. Eight years, seven months ago my beautiful wife folded up her earthly tent and went home, As I sit here attempting to put into words the feelings of my heart, precious memories are truly flooding my soul. In some ways it seems as if it was only yesterday that I was just a young man enjoying the peace and security of a precious father and a loving mother. It seems as if it was only yesterday that our precious daughter would burst through the door with that beaming smile lighting up the whole room. But, alas, it is not yesterday and 91 years have come and gone leaving me with only those precious memories that now flood my soul. I am confident that many, if not all, who now read these words will find themselves with like precious memories of their loved ones. As we grow older, the strength ebbs from our feeble bodies. We watch as those we love silently slip out into eternity and then suddenly it begins to sink in that ere long we too will shed these earthly bonds and cross over into eternity. This earthly life is a great adventure that will one day come to an end. On that day we will leave what we have here and take with us only what we are as we go to meet our God face to face.
Except for a very dire circumstance (suicide), we do not, yea cannot control how long we live on this earth but we can control how we live while on this earth (Heb. 5:8-9; 1 Pet. 2:11; Rom. 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-17; Col. 3:1-2; Matt. 6:19-21; Matt.6:33). One day I want to rest from my labor (Rev. 14:13). One day I want to view that majestic city of God from inside (Rev. 21:1-7). As a child of God this is my eternal destiny. I pray it is your eternal destiny also.
As we make our way through these days of unrest and uncertainty, I pray that all of us will feel the touch of the Master's hand on our hearts and feel his love surrounding us with tender care.
Charles Hicks
