Thursday, August 24, 2006

Welcome Back


The dark clouds gathered: they loomed on the horizon with foreboding certainty. I could always feel it in my bones as my heart was dropping. The harsh reality of life was approaching: mid August arrived too quickly. Playing in the walnut tree in the back yard, the reality that summer break was nearing its end and school was calling its wayward citizens back, hit me hard. Opening day snuck up on me, much like it did every year.

Every minute left in my summer became more and more precious. How could I maximize my remaining time of freedom? The usual suspects came to mind: stay up longer. Yes! If I stay up just two more hours a night, it is like getting an extra day out of summer every 8 days. After about 3 days, my zombie walk forced me into taking mid-day naps. Drats! What else? My bank had some money in it so it was time to pamper myself with a glut of comic books, model airplanes, and army men.

There was always the play-up my sadness to my mom plan, (don’t even waste your time with dad because he would just laugh). Maybe, if I moped just enough while behaving like an angel, she might take us to King’s Island, Cedar point, or maybe even a Red’s game. It rarely worked, but it was always worth a shot.

For two months, I had lived carelessly: wasting my days with mindless day-dreaming, playing games, sleeping-in, and riding my bike around the neighborhood in dizzying circles. What was I thinking? Well, perhaps ‘thinking’ is not the best choice of word: little thought went into these months. I avoided thinking of time entirely, let alone thinking about sitting and being tortured with books, multiplication charts, and the migration patterns of little birds. I don’t know if I dreaded the beginning of school or the end of summer more.

Isn’t it funny how life imitates our childhood? There comes a point when people realize that their time on this earth is nearing an end, or it is at least finite. They scramble to fill their remaining days with things: New cars, vacations to exotic locals, new hairstyles, tummy-tucks, or Botox™. Every action intended to maximize their enjoyment or to put off the inevitable mortality. There is this mad dash to do all of the things that they wanted to do or should have done with the previous years of their lives.

We all know what we are avoiding: the unknown. It is not knowing what is on the other side that scares the tar out of us. So we stock up on what we know, what we can tangibly appreciate and chase. Do we fear the end of time or the beginning of eternity? Meanwhile, God stands and waits for us to realize that He is truthful and His promises of a life ever after are more than hollow words:

Paul said it this way in Colossians:

Colossians 1:11-13 (NIV)

11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

It is the dominion of darkness that we grasp with our purposeful little fingers: holding on and wishing for it to never stop. Yet here is God with a life free from the clutches of this world, freely giving it to all who will receive it.

A measure of faith is all that is required: both faith in God’s promises, and in knowing that God is. There is no need of more. The problem is that it is a big step. Are you ready to take that leap? Barring Jesus’ return, the end of our days on earth is inevitable, but it not the closing curtain. It is merely the beginning of a glorious transformed life. And for the record, school was never near as horrible as I imagined it.

God Bless
Doug

9 Comments:

Blogger Kevin Knox said...

Do you know the movie, "Moonstruck?"

I love the scene in the movie where the parents of Cher's character have it out about the dad's mistress. Mom opens the argument with the line, "You know you're going to die."

She says that he's going to die anyway, so he may as well quit trying to live forever with his little fling. She tells him to get rid of her. And he agrees.

I love that scene.

It seems with each passing year, I fight the idea of death a little less. May the Lord strengthen our faith!

Thu Aug 24, 09:50:00 PM  
Blogger DougALug said...

CP,

Man, that is one of my favorite movies.

My favorite is when Nick Cage says 'You know I love you?!" to which he is slapped in the face by Cher who exclaims "Well snap out of it!".

That movie addressed a lot of what I am talking about here. Do we embrace life, the certain, and the safe, or do we embrace love and fly bravely into the great unknown with faith that God won't let us fall.

Amen to the Lord strengthening our faith.

God Bless
Doug

Thu Aug 24, 10:27:00 PM  
Blogger Milly said...

I love your writing bro.

My son tried to suck every moment out of the summer while Miss Littles counted down to first grade. I hope your Littles loves school as much as my Littles does. Every morning she watches the clock. Now it’s 8, now it’s 8:05, and on and on.

Fri Aug 25, 12:19:00 AM  
Blogger Milly said...

I love the movie Moonstruck!

Fri Aug 25, 12:22:00 AM  
Blogger DougALug said...

Milly,

We homeschool our oldest (our youngest turns 1 in a few days). For some bizzare reason, schools here in Florida started in the end of July and we try to stay on track with them, so she is up and running. Emily (my 5 year old), didn't look forward to it, but she is brilliant, and once we got in the swing. She is loving it a lot.

The co-op that we are a part of has really helped too. We worried about her lack of interaction with other children and to co-op seems to adress that pretty well.

All to say, we are all blessed with beautiful little ones.

As usual, thanks for the kind words.

God Bless
Doug

Fri Aug 25, 06:12:00 AM  
Blogger Milly said...

dugalug,
I could never home school. I’ve been told to pray about it, in fact the woman who told me said that her prayers were please Lord don’t make me home school. She home schools her four kids. The Lord knows Milly and her children. I am not regimented enough for it. We’d sleep way too much and blow off stuff then panic. My kids are very out going an in need of other people’s attention. Truth be known the outside word is my stage, at home I’m in need of peace a lot. My son has surpassed me in several subjects so helping him to understand things isn’t an option. Most of my help for him is just sitting and listening as he reasons it out. He has taught teachers how to teach math concepts, the kid was in fifth grade at the time. I have friends who have home schooled and the coolest thing is that every moment seems to be a learning moment. She’s my age with grown children and is constantly teaching me :-}

Fri Aug 25, 10:42:00 AM  
Blogger pearlie said...

A measure of faith is all that is required: both faith in God’s promises, and in knowing that God is.

This measure of faith, which is all that is required is not easy to acquire sometimes. Especially in moments of desperation when all seem to be at loss. But still God is there with open arms. And we strive and pull ourselves into his bosom.

Thu Aug 31, 01:24:00 AM  
Blogger DougALug said...

Milly,

Homeschooling is a solution, but it is like many things that present multiple solutions. The important thing is nurturing love and pathing a smoother road on their way to making thier own decisions (espcially about God). I went to 5 years of parochial scool, and then went to 6 years of public. I survived and learned enought to keep food on the table. My parents loved me and my sister with all that they were: they did what they could afford, and what they believed was best for us. Homeschooling wasn't an option. I am ever thankful for the sacrifices and dedication they showed us.

Knowing the time, dedication, regiment, love, and work required to do it, I would have never asked my wife to homeschool, but still, God put it on her heart, and I am every thankful for her willingness to do it. (I get to help, but she does the lion's share).

God Bless
doug

Fri Sep 01, 03:45:00 PM  
Blogger DougALug said...

Maeghan,

This measure of faith, which is all that is required is not easy to acquire sometimes.

Sigh, I know that is true, but I also know that there is noone to blame but myself. God has made himself present and available. It is unfortunate that we all the 'waves and the wind' to distract us.

Keep up the faith sister, we are right there with you!

God Bless
Doug

Fri Sep 01, 03:48:00 PM  

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