Milestones and Reminders

I felt anticipation as I headed north on Route 45. In just a few minutes I would be picking up a gift for my son and me that Michaela at his former assisted living place called and said she had for us.  Behind me a siren blared, and I moved over as an ambulance zoomed past me. Still driving north, I reached the next turn and parked at Ray’s former home.

At the nurse’s station, the manager and nurses greeted me. I hugged each one as they said how much they missed Ray. I told them Ray and I appreciated their great friendship and care while he lived there. Michaela approached me with a large present, and my eyes widened as I opened an 11 x 17, framed photo of Ray dressed in a dapper English-looking outfit (photo above). My heart filled with joy as I thanked her and asked them all to sign the back of the picture.

As I turned back out onto Route 45 and headed to visit Ray at his new place, the ambulance that had passed me earlier pulled out of an auto repair shop, turning on its lights and siren, heading to the hospital.

It struck me that everywhere at every moment people are facing many different circumstances. Some are working hard in their offices or school rooms, and others are bending over the engine of a car working with their hands. Somebody had a serious medical emergency at the repair shop that day and needed to be rushed to the hospital.

God’s word tells us in Proverbs 27, “Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.” While I was enjoying hugs and presents, a person four blocks away was in serious distress, perhaps needing life-saving care. Let’s pray: Lord, we don’t know what the future holds, but we know you hold our future. Please help us face whatever you bring to us today, whether good or bad. Give us thankful hearts for special blessings. May we be aware of the people around us and pray for those in need of help in any way. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.