Remember the show?
It’s not the show, but the words of the theme song on my mind today:
You take the good, you take the bad,
you take them both and there you have
The facts of life, the facts of life.
Today is a very memorable day for people in my life.
Friends of ours are celebrating the 17th birthday of their son. A fine young man.
In fact for a few weeks last month, he became an honorary member of our family, as we lived out “There’s always room for one more.”
Not only is he a great kid, he’s one of Mr. Football’s best friends.
It’s a joy to celebrate life…the day that God decided would be the day of your birth is incredibly important.
There are many days in our life that are important…but some more than others.
One year ago today, a family in our church lost their husband/father suddenly to cancer. He and his wife had just moved back to our area and were becoming involved in our church where his kids already worshipped and served. I barely knew his family before his passing, but since then have been in a few Bible studies, small groups, etc, with his wife and daughter. And through the celebration of his life and the beautiful tributes to him, I realize that I missed the opportunity to know an amazing, godly man and pastor.
A few months after he died, his first grandchild was born. Thankfully, he died with the knowledge that he was going to be a grandfather.
And in a few months, his daughter is going to be married.
He is missed. He is loved.
And now he’s with Jesus, living where he was created to live forever.
But those that he loved have holes in their hearts. And although they have the peace in assurance that not only will they see him again one day, they have comfort that his earthly life led others to Jesus. And that now he is with his Savior.
But they can’t help but miss him desperately.
And as opposite as these days are….God planned them for each of us.
The good, the bad…it’s all a part of this life that God created for us.
And on a day that I was rejoicing in celebrating the birth of one special guy, I was praying for a family grieving the anniversary of the day they lost their husband/father. The paradox of the day weighed on my heart.
And then………
(take a deep breath)
I got news of another very special day that God planned before the foundation of the Earth.
An old friend (and by old, I mean long time….not that she’s old! 😉 ) called me to tell me that she’s pregnant. I was beyond thrilled for her!
And in the midst of her exciting news, I couldn’t help but think of the loss my friends were feeling.
And the celebration of 17 years with a treasured son…with the hope of many more to come.
But no matter the news: good or bad……you take them both and you don’t really have the ‘facts of life’….you have the faithfulness of Almighty God.
Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. Psalms 119:90
Lord, I am so thankful that you are faithful. That you are always with us. I thank you that you love me, that you planned my life to glorify you. I thank you that from the day you create our life until the day we join you in Heaven, we are your children. And we will have the joy of spending eternity with you. You are a good God.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!
Psalms 139:17-18 NLT
