Thought for the Day - A road trip to mull over lessons from the past
There are things in our past that matter. I am on my way home, via an extra long road trip that I mentioned last week, from Uncle Dave’s funeral, writes Rev Jon Bergen.
It was a blessed time; Jesus was pointed to through the life that was honoured and we shared food and family fellowship that always arise from such events. We cried, we laughed and we celebrated a life well lived. Thanks for asking.
As I am writing and rewriting this, I received a call from an almost lifelong friend to say that his dad passed away just minutes ago. I’m one of the first to get the call.
And on the very day this article is officially published, it will be the anniversary of my own father’s death. There just seems to be so much of this lately.
I’d say I was sorry for mentioning Psalm 116:15 two weeks in a row, but that wouldn’t be true, as I consider that those I have mentioned were filled with faith. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” has a special ring for me today. These men are precious to my heart and life as well. I have shed tears, laughed, and rejoiced as the memories wash over my heart and soul.
One of my too often said sayings from my dad, and I suspect I exaggerate how often he said it, but I say as I meet with folk for a meal that “we need to say grace ‘because even pigs grunt before they eat.’”
But the lesson from my past was/is that we should be grateful for what we have and not be so worried about what we lack.
My friend’s dad once said: “Get your work done before you play; you’ll enjoy life more that way.” A lesson that has served me well over my lifetime. Hard to believe that was more than 40 years ago.
Uncle Dave taught me to love extended family. He taught me to not worry about where I am doing ministry, but rather to do what I do, where I am.
Sitting in a hotel in Bozeman, Montana, on the way home after an almost 2800-mile journey, so far, through wind, rain, snow, whiteout blizzard conditions, and sunshine, allows for many feelings and memories as the miles flowed past.
Thanks for listening, this is more for me than you to be honest.
Rev Jon Bergen is the former pastor of Brechin Baptist Church and is currently pastor of the Seeley Lake Baptist Church in Seeley Lake, Montana, USA.