"Hey, that's what it's all about
Hey, this is a life I couldn't live without,
No I couldn't live without
It's a moment frozen there in time
When the reasons all begin to rhyme
Love's a little bigger
And you finally start figuring out
That's what it's all about!!"
~Brooks and Dunn "Thats what its all about"
We should never get so serious in life that we lose our sense of joy and
feeling of contentment. The Lord has promised to be with us in life and
receive us unto Himself when our time on Earth comes to an end. The
journey of life is to be enjoyed, relished and seen with a renewed vision
the awe inspiring beauty of God's creation. No matter how old we may get
in life, we should always have a childlike faith that God is in control and
in His sight All is well. We read in Psalm 139:14 “I will praise Thee; for
I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works; and that my
soul knoweth right well.” With all that God has created and accomplished,
let us trust Him in all things and know that we will not be forgotten nor
forsaken. (Mark 10:14-15) (2 Corinthians 5:6-7) (Psalm 8:3-6) (Hebrews 13:5)
LIFE IS A TEST
Bill and Pearl were a very special couple.
They were a couple who knew all about the brutality of life. One would
never know the harshness of life they had endured unless you were very
close to them.
Bill was a quiet unassuming man, who was devoted to his beloved Pearl.
Pearl radiated happiness and was a delight to all that knew her. She loved
life and constantly counted her blessings and practiced faithfully what she
often reminded us, her family and friends –- “Laughter is the Best
Medicine.” Her infectious laugh was so contagious she had me convinced.
Anytime I was in charge of an entertainment event, program, or play, I
would suggest she be guided to a seat near the front not far from the
stage. Whatever the entertainment might be, and if laughter would be a
plus, Pearl would make sure it was a hit. Her cheerfulness would infiltrate
the audience and not only would laughter prevail, but also everyone,
including the performers felt a jovial feeling.
A few years after we met Bill and Pearl, they experienced a tremendous
financial setback which caused them to lose their farm.
There was never a complaint from either of them about their circumstances.
Neither of them was in very good health and we were concerned as to what
this latest blow could do to them. When my husband and I went to visit
them to see what we could do to help, Bill said, “Here is where we are,
here is where we have to go, and I guess packing our things is what must
be done now.”
Lorin asked, “What about your machinery?” He was determined to be of help,
while refusing to show his sadness about the tragedy that had befallen this
couple.
Bill's answer to this question was, “Well, since the farm is no longer
ours, we have no use for the machinery, so we can leave it here for the
young man who is going to take over. He will need it.” Bill never thought
of selling it. His first thought was someone needed it.
One day, while I was helping Pearl pack, there were boxes everywhere and
there were piles of throw-a-way, piles to pack, piles to keep and piles
for charity. As we worked, I kept thinking of their state of affairs and
was on the verge of tears. It hurt so badly to think of my friend having
to give up so much -- things that they had worked for all their lives. And
now, at their age, moving into a small rented home...
I turned to ask her a question and saw this sweet, humble woman sitting in
the midst of chaos with a smile on her face. She started to laugh. Her
infectious laugh reached out to me and I soon found myself sitting on the
floor beside her. Oh, how I was going to miss my friend -- this woman had
been my confidante, my counselor, my good neighbor and especially my friend.
“Pearl, this is crazy. What are we laughing about? There is nothing funny
about packing.”
“Well you know what they say about life don't you?” The quizzical look on
my face was evidence that I had no idea what she was referring to.
She continued, “You know, it is often said that life is a test.”
“Well, yes, I have heard that," I answered. "But I still don't understand,
what's so funny?”
She finally stopped laughing and with a sly smile said, “Honey, I just
realized I have never been good at tests!”
She taught me that life was good under any circumstances, if I would allow
myself to just count my blessings and find joy in laughter.
Pearl and her husband moved nearer to their children and life seemed to be
going quite well for them, until a year later when Bill died. As she shared
the news with me, my mind raced back to that afternoon sitting on her floor
with debris all around us as she reminded me that, “Life was a test.” Her
voice told the whole story.
Regardless of how difficult the test was, she had enough faith that would
see her through, despite what she had said that day – “Honey, I have never
been good at tests.”
Dorothy says: “Pearl is a friend who continues to inspire me and it is a
joy to share my experiences about her with an appreciative audience.”
By Dorothy Casper
Habakkuk 3:17-18 “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall
fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields
shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there
shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy
in the God of my salvation.”
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power,
and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Psalm 8:3-6 “When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon
and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man, that Thou art mindful
of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him? For Thou hast made him
a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put
all things under his feet.”
Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in
trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and
though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the
waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the
swelling thereof. Selah.”
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