|
Gregory Blvd Church of Christ 7109 Raytown Rd Raytown, MO 64133 816-356-1262 |
|
|
|
|
THIS WEEK
1/19/25
Praise the Lord we're open for business!
THIS AND THAT January: Communion Preparation - Jack & Cheryl Collection Counting - Kenny/Chris
"Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation" Mark 16:15 There's a "For Rent" sign in front of a house near my home. It's for rent because the young mother who lived there with her husband and two young children committed suicide recently. Her family has moved out and put the house up for rent. I think of her every time I drive by on my way to and from work and see that sad little sign. Here I am, not one hundred yards from her front door, a two minute walk, daily thanking God for life eternal and the blessings of living in this lovely place with children playling happily in the street while this woman quietly ended her life. I probably saw her and waved a friendly hello, as people do who live around here, without ever knowing about her pain and sorrow--content to think all was well in her life as it was in mine. I regret that someone so close to me was not aware of the message of hope and life that existed in me but was absent in her hour of need. Survivor guilt perhaps, the thoughts of one who knows he could have done much more. The sign speaks to me each day. A reminder that we don't really know what goes on in people's lives, even those who live next door--For Rent, For Sale, Foreclose. "There's no bringing her back," the grief counselor will say to her family and curious neighbors. "You'll have to move on with your lives," helping everyone to get busy with the new reality that has suddenly appeared. Eventually the sign will come down and some new family will begin their story in that place. Maybe I'll wave and say hello. Maybe I'll know a name, a job, a dream. Maybe they'll know I have a hope and I live just up the street.
PRAYERS NEEDED: Cancer
Always remember our young people who have grown out of the family home and are pursuing studies and careers, that they continue to seek wisdom from the omni-present Father. And that they continue to hold Him first in their lives.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “OPEN TRENCH” the sign says, but what does it mean? Is there such a thing as a closed trench? An open trench is a man dug ditch, so why is it distinguished from a ditch? It is meant as a warning, like “BRIDGE OUT”? Precede with caution! Venture forth at your own risk!
| | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
