The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings to ever one in Western Illinois and all readers of The Quill, young and older alike.
Now it's the middle of August and the temperatures seem cooler than normal. It shore is nice be'n outdoors in this kind of weather.
FULL MOON
Has anyone noticed the full moon the last few days?
Those with good measure'n instruments sez the moon is close to earth this month, which gives us its beautiful appearnce.
If'n ya gets a chance, try sittin' out on the porch or lawn under the shade of a tree right at dawn and relax until the moon comes up. It'll be good for your constitution.
REFLECTIONS
ON TOURIST
Two deaths recently hit the national news. One death was self inflicted by a comedian with depression and a drink'n problem.
The other death was, in a way, also self inflicted by a young race car driver who stepped out with apparent rage in front of another race car driver.
No doubt he had not planned on death but was determined to display his anger.
Our hearts and prayers go out to those individuals and their famlies.
It has been said, "the only exercise some folk take is jump'n to conclusions", so it is not wise to speculate on circumstances that led up to and followed the loss of these two men.
What is brought to mind is the story of an American tourist who visited a famous Polish rabbi.
Upon arriving, he was astonished to see only a room full of books with a simple table and a bench.
"Rabbi!" he said in amazement. "Where's your furniture?" The rabbi bluntly returned, "Where is yours?" To which the visitor sputtered, "What do ya expect? I'm only a tourist passing through."
The rabbi answered in three short words, "So, am I!"
The story illustrates the reality of eternity and man's blindness to it. The rabbi caught the tourist off guard by always have'n eternity in mind and see'n it fer the important good that it ought to be.
Chances are anyone of us could be caught off guard in that manner as well.
Most tourists would think of furniture as an unthinkable encumbrance. In the minds of most Americans, furniture is a necessary part of life at home.
But, we are left to wonder, which home is in focus?
The tourist's home was probably plush, comfortable, and beautiful. Those adjectives describe things that can be seen and touched every day.
Why then did the rabbi reject the luxury of the present and have that far-off look in his eye?
Because he had sense enough to know that his earthly home was but a jot in the story of his eternal existence.
Oft times, many who daily see and touch the home of their dreams, nevertheless have a constant sense of disappointment and despair.
Was this the situation of the comedian and race driver?
Why might this be so with such anger, despair, and disappointment? Could it be because we are investing far too much in a tiny dash on our time-line?
The old say'n might apply "trade that which ya can't keep fer what ya can't lose."
It reminds me of a poem written by David L. Weatherford, a child psychologist:
SLOW DANCE
Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round, or listened to rain slapping the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight,or gazed at the sun fading into the night?
You better slow down, don't dance so fast, time is short, the music won't last.
Do you run through each day on the fly, when you ask "How are you?", do you hear the reply?
When the day is done, do you lie in your bed, with the next hundred chores running through your head?
You better slow down, don't dance so fast, time is short, the music won't last.
Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow, and in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, let a friendship die, "cause you never had time to call and say hi?
You better slow down, don't dance so fast, time is short, the music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere, you miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day, it's like an unopened gift thrown away.
Life isn't a race, so take it slower, hear the music before your song is over.
-Find his writings at:
http://www.davidlweatherford.com
That's it fer this weeks column. Take time to reflect on things of importance and real value.
I'm a hope'n the rest of your week goes well.
Hope'n to see ya in church this week.
Where ever ya is, what ever ya be a do'n "BE A GOOD ONE!"
Keep on Smile'n
Catch ya later
BARNYARD BRUKE