Did you hear about the couple who had been married so long that they were on their fifth bottle of Tabasco sauce? Time quickly seems to get away from us. Unnoticed, the years begin to pile up until those behind us are far beyond the years before us. Considered in the light of eternity all our long years of life are like a vapor swept aside by the breeze. Still as we measure the time ahead of us we wish each moment to still be weighty. Can the future be full of goodness and joy even if the changes of life offer new challenges which we did not anticipate? The most perfect-seeming life can be invaded by unexpected turmoil, but with help from God we may still find rest for our souls. In times past we gathered resources to face our present challenges. We may be tempted to rage at the dimming of the light or we can remember that when we can’t clearly see the road ahead, there is One who holds our hand & leads us out of the darkness into the light. Christ is our light & his glory will shine in us no matter how difficult the way. Part of my growing-up years were spent in mountain country. I remember seeing beautiful sunsets in those years, but what I remember most fondly were sunrises. After the deep darkness the sun began to peek over the mountains lighting up the sandstone peaks in oranges and reds above the deep purples of the valleys. No matter how dark the night had been, I felt a surge of joy at the coming of sunlight with every moment growing brighter & sparkling off the rocks and streams. Even now, if the darkness seems especially heavy I know that just over the mountaintop the sun is coming up & everything will
again be bright.