Author: A Little Renewal of Faith… Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association)
Just a few years ago, health was not an issue. There were few doctor visits, long walks on the beach, early morning tennis matches, and walks around Mazatlán. Not anymore. Some of us sold our Mexican condos and moved back to the United States, and some still spend a few weeks there every year. However, we are all slowing down.
Last week, nine of us met in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, for a meeting. Twenty-one had initially committed to coming, but most dropped out because of “things” that kept them from joining the group: grandbabies were born; the failing health of a spouse; home repair problems. For those of us who made the trip, we knew it might be our last.
Bruce and Sharon came from Oregon. Bruce, a former basketball player and (now) coach, was counting on half his lung capacity after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Geoff and Sherrie were from Colorado Springs. Geoff was in the middle of several doctor appointments with no answers as to why his legs were no longer working. And then there was Howard and Joyce. Oh my God !
Howard will be 90 next month and Joyce will be 88. When they told us they were flying to Denver and renting a car to drive the three hours into the mountains, we all had our concerns. When Joyce sent us a message that they were on the Steamboat, we were relieved. They were about a mile away on Lincoln Avenue, the street where our rented condo was located. They couldn't find us, even though Shelley and I were on the corner, waiting for them to spot us.
Every time Joyce told me where they were, they passed us. “I see you,” Joyce exclaimed. “Shelley is wearing a white hat.” No, Shelley didn't. After circling our block twice, Howard zoomed right past our intersection. Joyce spotted us (the real “us”, not the lady in the hat). We saw Howard turn around in the middle of four lanes of traffic, squeeze into the handicapped parking space we were in, and get out of the car, without parking it or turning it off. This was going to be an adventure!
I reminded everyone to drink tons of water because of the altitude. Joyce said she didn't like water. I told him it didn't matter. Altitude sickness was real and not fun. On our first day of shopping as a girl, Joyce leaned over to adjust her shoe and face-planted in a pile of clothes. From then on she drank water.
Even though we started planning our next reunion, goodbyes were difficult. We were lucky enough to enjoy a sweet moment of connection that might never happen again. And here's the saddest part: six of our friends are not Christians. They are wonderful people, but they have no desire to know Jesus. When I tell them I'm going to pray for them, they nod or say “thank you,” but our conversation ends there. I don't understand.
The ultimate reunion awaits all of us who believe that Jesus lived and died for our sins. 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 (MSG) should get us all excited about what lies ahead. “There will be a big family reunion with Master. So reassure each other with these words. How can God be so easily rejected? Even though this Steamboat group understands how precious our time together was (and can't wait to meet again), even though they accept Dave and my faith, they reject the reunion that takes place after we die…this heavenly banquet where the entire family of God comes together to celebrate the end of death. Aging. Grief. Disease. Pain. A broken relationship. Even altitude sickness.
It will be an adventure we don't dare miss.
