A Moment To Praise 7.20.20
Joyce Lochinger, Gravel Hill Worship Leader
Last Time…
There are several things I know about myself. I am stubborn, I am kind, I can be funny, but I also have a very serious side. I try to be fair and just. Lastly, I am a sappy, nostalgic person – that’s what I want to focus on today. Surely you didn’t think I wanted to talk about my stubborn streak, did you? 🙂
I remember occurrences and events in my life in great detail. I know that I can drive my family crazy when we get together and I say, “do you remember when…?” The memory of things from my childhood is so strong, I believe because I was the youngest of four kids.
As I have shared before, I also happen to be considerably younger than my siblings. Because of that, I viewed the lives of my siblings as a very exciting live drama unfolding right before my eyes. I was too little to have anything so exciting happening to me, so I paid attention to their lives in great detail. Ask my sister: I was always around when she had a boyfriend over to visit. Ask my older brother: he was the lucky one who got to take me on some of his dates with him. And then my next oldest brother, who I was closer to in age, that I tattled on constantly even when he didn’t do anything!
Time moving forward
As you can see, I was sort of in everybody’s business back then! Though my siblings may not, I have great memories of those times and I am very nostalgic about them! I then remember having my own children and the numerous fun times we have had together. Knowing my personality and my nostalgic tendencies prompted me to record a video every month on my daughter’s monthly ‘birthdays’. I called them month-to-month videos. I faithfully created these recordings for both of my girls. These videos were great for them and us as they had yearly birthdays to watch and see how they had grown and changed. Now that I’m older, they are a great source of memories and nostalgic thoughts.
Shawn and I laugh when we watch these videos and see bath time fun, a favorite book, routine, or activity that the girls loved to do. Through the videos, as the months rolled on, those “must-do” games and routines faded away into new and different activities. We often remark at these occurrences by saying, “When was the last time we did that?” If we had known that it was the last time we would read that book or play that bath time game, would we have cherished it more? Because, as most parents know, sometimes you just want to get that ritual over with so that little people can go to bed and you can have a well-deserved rest! Whew!
When was the last time?
However, what if we apply this “When was the last time?” to our Christian walk, what do we come up with?
When was the last time I:
confessed my sins to God and truly asked for forgiveness?
received that forgiveness and changed my lifestyle to reflect the grace which I received?
relied totally on God when a problem arose in my life?
stepped out of my comfort zone and witnessed to someone about the wonderful ways that God has changed my life?
truly worshiped and adored Christ in my daily life with my actions, words and behaviors?
These all pose valid questions and things that we may forget about from day to day, especially in the rush of daily living and coping.
Despite life’s busy nature, this scripture tells us to always be ready. It reminds us to always be prepared and to not spend time asking questions like, “When was the last time?”
A Moment To Praise 7.20.20 in Scripture
Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
That passage sums it all up. There is truly no situation in which we should ask “last time” type of questions in our Christian walk. God is telling us to always be prepared and not to slack off in daily living. Now, when it comes to your kids, you will naturally have the “last time” for certain things only to have them replaced with new and exciting adventures as they grow into adulthood. Though as Christians, we should continue to grow in the same manner as our kids do, while not forgetting to continue living our lives in this world as people prepared for the Messiah’s return!
A Moment To Praise 7.20.20 in Song
Being fond of the nostalgic as I am, I have always loved this oldie but goodie song from my favorite Christian group, DC Talk. I actually saw this performance in concert! It gives me chills every time I listen to the words. They are straight out of Matthew 24. Enjoy!
