Accountability - the mother of caution.

My apologies for a very brief post this morning. I have a full schedule today which begins with getting things wrapped up for Sunday's services. The sermon is about 60% done and I won't sleep tonight until it's finished. Lots of other related tasks await completion. It's also my last chance to see some people I can't leave town w/o touching hearts with.

I didn't expect to see Tanisha here. She's another of my "kids" from my teaching days. I think she's in town with H.S. students from their youth group for a function at the college. But what a joy to find her in a group of people standing at the curb outside the foyer. After what must be close to a decade of waiting she has a young life growing inside her. She glows, I cried. If you knew Tanisha and Chad you'd understand.

I was also blessed - and you know I am not inclined to use words like that - by comments from a couple of people re. my presentation at Wednesday night's session. I didn't expect to change anyone's mind, but rather to give those who understand a sense of authentication. "You're correct, and others, including some more senior members agree with you."

Are you ready to die?
I don't mean that in the way preachers usually ask that question: "Are you sure you're right with the God of the universe?"
Assuming that you are and that you have the assurance of your salvation, is their work left undone? Have you left a mark, been a faithful steward, accomplished your work and finished the race set before you?
We've all stumbled, disappointed our Heavenly Father. But he forgives and deals with us graciously.
And if we still have to look down to see the grass there's clearly more work he has for us to do.
But if noon tomorrow marked the end of his number of days assigned for your span could you look back and say, "yeah, I think I've been a faithful steward"?

The tricky part is I don't know it's coming at noon tomorrow. It may be another 10, 20, even 30 years out. So I guess I can't glory in things done, but must press on toward the goal, so that I, too, can say I've finished the course and kept the faith.