Never too late

We all know about best laid plans.  Well, I certainly experienced major upsets in my well planned schedule during my trip.  The first upset was a call the day before I was to leave from the daughter of the folks I was scheduled to stay with, reporting that the wife had been taken to the hospital ER and they were still unaware what the problem was.  The husband has some sort of dementia so cannot safely stay alone.  I quickly called to see if there was room available in the guesthouse and was pleased to find a vacancy.  The retirement party was great.  I had the opportunity to catch up with several that I would not have seen and enjoyed numerous lengthy conversations.  My days at the office stretched out much longer than planned so I was not able to head for Raleigh/Durham until late in the day.  Friend Keith experienced too much “on his plate” that day and his plans to prepare dinner did not work out, so he took me out to eat.  After talking late into the night, we were too tired Sunday to go to the planned earlier church service but made it to the last one.  I encountered some nasty cold, windy and rainy weather coming home with a chest congestion that is now improving with the help of antibiotics.  Even with the cold front that has come into Florida, I am glad to be back in my own bed, seeing sunshine.

During my morning reading I am getting well into the book of Exodus.  I always enjoy reading about Moses and how God ultimately used him.  At 40 years old, he looked like the man that had a chance to bring relief to his people.  He had position, training, natural ability and the desire, BUT one foolish act (killing a man) forfeited those advantages and he was dejected and just plain miserable.  Then he encountered God in a most unusual way when he was now around 80.  Seeing a bush on fire which did not become consumed by the fire, got his attention.  God speaks to him saying that He wants to use him but Moses gives excuses why someone else should be selected.  He knew what Pharaoh was like, was now an old man and even had a speech impediment.  God gave his rebuttal and assured him “I will be with you” sharing with him some of the means the He would use to convince Pharaoh.  The end of chapter 4 says; “Moses and Aaron brought together all of the elders of the Israelites, and told them everything the Lord had said to Moses.  He also performed the signs before the people, and THEY BELIEVED.” (4: 29-31)

The story of Moses is a great encouragement to me.  Whatever our background or past may have contained, regardless of age, God still has a plan for us to be serving for His glory.  I look forward to traveling with Moses through Exodus again and seeing God use another unlikely individual for His glory.  That challenges me not to get discouraged or give up regardless of difficulties, health issues, age or any circumstances as long as he gives me breath.

I trust that your week is going well and that each of us will live above the circumstances.

Love to all,

Chuck