I Almost Missed It

I wasn't going to go, work and all and I almost missed it. It was just a football game albeit an important championship game and I almost missed it. My sons who live in California asked if I was interested in going...they would fly out to see me and their aging grandmother, perhaps for the last time, who knows, but I wasn't sure if I was up to driving to Dallas, spending the money (I was going to have to spring for their tickets and they ain't cheap!). I almost missed it. I didn't have anything important to do in Church that Sunday, I had one more Sunday coming in vacation but I don't know...should I go? I almost missed it. Finally I thought, oh well, why not? We hadn't been together for a couple of years and I had in the past missed a lot with them.

It was a blast....from beginning to end...in the same hotel room, 3.5 hours at Buffalo Wings talking football, 7 hours early to the game at Cowboy stadium, bands, cheers, friendly taunting...I almost missed it. It wasn't about the game, it was about being with my sons who are approaching 40, and to think I thought about not going.

Life is like that for me at least. I have always let work (good work, but work) come first. When I did that, I missed my boys. I wonder sometimes what else have I missed out on in my 65 years? I have decided to not miss too much more for whatever reason...not in a selfish way, but in a soul satisfying way.

I remember preaching about 30 years ago and said "I think God will ask us some day when we are before His throne: "Why didn't you do what you wanted to do.?" Again, not in a selfish way, but in a way in which at the end of work (retirement) or life we don't have any regrets. If at the end of my time our Lord can say to me "Well done, good and faithful servant" then perhaps I can think about not postponing doing things waiting for a better time, more money, or a clear conscience. No, I don't think I want to miss any more. I will do my work and pay attention to the human gifts God has given me. I think I will quit for now and call my stepdaughter, Sarah. She is 19 almost 20--no more missing!