This past Thanksgiving we had our traditional game of Ultimate Croquet. If you have been with me awhile, you know what that means. It is far more difficult to play in a field instead of a table-top, bright green, freshly mown lawn! Somehow paper-plate sized sycamore leaves, wads of gray Spanish moss, truck ruts, and armadillo holes wreak havoc with a rolling ball.
This year both Silas and Judah were able to play their own game without help. With 6 of us it was an interesting, if long, game. Judah and I brought up the rear but we still had fun and cheered for each other. At least twice both boys had little mishaps with their mallets. Once the head of Silas's mallet hit the ground before it hit the ball and since all the impetus was gone, the ball only rolled an inch. Another time Judah had a similar problem caused more by the fact that his arms are shorter than the mallet handle. So almost at the same time with one voice, we adults cried, "Put it back and do it again." They were much happier with their second chances.
I suppose it is age that does it to you. Several times lately I have had the thought, "This is it. It's nearly over and you don't get another chance to do it any other way." Every time, my stomach has done a little flip and I don't really know why. It's not like I didn't know that already. Maybe it's just having your nose rubbed in it by the early death of an old friend, or wanting to share something with your parents before realizing they are no longer there, or maybe it's just that you look in the mirror one day and, maybe due to illness or a bad night, it's really obvious how old you are now! And when this is over, there is no going back. Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass (Job 14:5).
The only thing even close to a do-over is today. If you opened your eyes this morning, you have another chance to be a better spouse, a better parent, a better friend, a better servant of God. You have the opportunity to heal a broken relationship or confess a wrong. You have one more chance to put down the mending and play with a child on his level, with ears open and welcoming to his words and thoughts. Today is the only second chance you get. And you never know—it may also be your last.
No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death… (Eccl 8:8).
Dene Ward
This year both Silas and Judah were able to play their own game without help. With 6 of us it was an interesting, if long, game. Judah and I brought up the rear but we still had fun and cheered for each other. At least twice both boys had little mishaps with their mallets. Once the head of Silas's mallet hit the ground before it hit the ball and since all the impetus was gone, the ball only rolled an inch. Another time Judah had a similar problem caused more by the fact that his arms are shorter than the mallet handle. So almost at the same time with one voice, we adults cried, "Put it back and do it again." They were much happier with their second chances.
I suppose it is age that does it to you. Several times lately I have had the thought, "This is it. It's nearly over and you don't get another chance to do it any other way." Every time, my stomach has done a little flip and I don't really know why. It's not like I didn't know that already. Maybe it's just having your nose rubbed in it by the early death of an old friend, or wanting to share something with your parents before realizing they are no longer there, or maybe it's just that you look in the mirror one day and, maybe due to illness or a bad night, it's really obvious how old you are now! And when this is over, there is no going back. Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass (Job 14:5).
The only thing even close to a do-over is today. If you opened your eyes this morning, you have another chance to be a better spouse, a better parent, a better friend, a better servant of God. You have the opportunity to heal a broken relationship or confess a wrong. You have one more chance to put down the mending and play with a child on his level, with ears open and welcoming to his words and thoughts. Today is the only second chance you get. And you never know—it may also be your last.
No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death… (Eccl 8:8).
Dene Ward
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