In the Dailies

Isabel returns from the bathroom, her pants around her knees. “It just be a worm.” What she means to say is “false alarm.” I know I should correct her, but I just can’t. Instead I smile and relish her innocence, knowing it won’t last long.

Yesterday, while on our walk, the kids discovered the first signs of autumn: a red leaf! Actually, we found a handful. Cooler temperatures reigned this week, in spite of the calendar claiming it’s still August. Our found-treasure proves summer is quickly coming to an end. Fall is inevitable. Gone are the days of time well wasted … Isabel starts school in less than two weeks! Before we know it we’ll be picking apples, wearing sweatshirts and preparing for the holidays.

This all reminds me of Mark Lowry. I saw him in concert years ago. I remember well two things from that concert: (1) he said he would probably get married when he was thirty-three because “the Lord laid down his life when He was thirty-three” and (2) his favorite verse was “And it came to pass.” The audience and I waited for the rest of the verse, but that was it. Mark exclaimed: “Isn’t that great?!” He went on to explain that nothing is here to stay. Everything in this life is here for a limited time. It all will pass – the good, the bad … all of it! This is what I’m thinking about today.

And this is my encouragement to you: Savor the moments to be treasured, like the too-soon-forgotten phrases of childhood. They will pass in the blink of an eye. And don’t fret over the trials for they, too, shall pass. Yes, summer is coming to an end and winter is on its way, but winter will pass just as quickly. The best part: God is with us in the summers and the winters. He counts each leaf that falls and captures our tears in jars. May our laughter be stored in warehouses!