MAYBE
TOMORROW. Those are two of the saddest
words in life, well … depending on what they are the answer to! On the other hand, I remember when similar
words spoken many a time in my childhood were an indication of hope on the
horizon. I grew up on a farm in North
Dakota where we raised grain crops and cattle.
Several years it would be just about harvest time, and we would jump in
the pickup truck and go for a drive to see the fields of ripe, waving grain –
and to see how big the spring calves were.
Adventure time for us kids … we loved it! Slowing down by the fields, Dad would explain
about how the crops were just about ready – and the importance of that timing. We’d come home, excited at the prospects of a
“bumper crop” – because the tall, thick stands of golden wheat waving in the
breezes were picture-perfect! We kids
would start dreaming … maybe this year dad will be able to get this piece of
machinery he really needs! Or maybe
we’ll be able to grow our herd of cattle by this many! Or just maybe we’ll be able to go on a family
trip to see our Aunt Aretta out on the west coast! Trips were rare for us, living on the farm
where time seemed to be spent on lots of hard work. We always had fun and took time to sit back
and enjoy life – but we couldn’t go very far away, especially with milk cows
needing our attention both morning and night-time. And then, the bank account rarely held a
balance that would get us to the west coast and back, that wasn’t needed more
for the farm expenses and raising a family.
So we just kept on dreaming! As a
young child, I remember how just about a week after our adventurous tour of the
crops and cattle, storm-clouds would form and multiply until the sky was filled
with swirling shapes of grey and black, and sometimes they would turn into an
ugly, foreboding whitish nightmare.
Standing near the windows to get a better view, much to our mom’s dismay
… we’d crane our necks around from side to side to see what was coming our way. All of us kids, as well as dad and mom, were
praying up a storm equal to the raging winds.
And sometimes, God stilled the storm, and all was well. We would breathe a huge sigh of relief! The crops were saved! Other times, God must have had other plans,
for the storms continued to unleash their fury – and within minutes the
hailstones shelled out those plump heads of wheat and the stalks lay twisted,
broken and flat on the muddy ground.
Gone … it was all gone. As kids,
our minds began to freak out with unspoken questions like, “What will we have
for money to live on for the next twelve months?” I think it was mom who voiced that reality
question to dad, more for reassurance than anything, because we all knew that
our God would take care of us – somehow!
We had never starved yet … and we were sure He wouldn’t let us starve
now! In those moments of stark reality,
I’ve never forgotten the way my dad would respond. Taking a deep sigh that seemed to suck in the
cares and fears we all felt, he would calmly say, “Well . . . there’s always
next year!” What hope! On the heels of destruction, he was already
thinking about next year, hoping for the best!
Amazing! Yes, for some things in
life … there is “next year”. And many
times, the “next year” saw our dreams come true. The storms stayed away and that bumper crop
came through. But when it comes to
things of God, especially for those who have not said “yes” to Him … it’s a
dangerous risk to say, “maybe tomorrow.”
Tomorrow may never come! For
those of us who say “maybe tomorrow” I will call this person - or “maybe
tomorrow” I will share Christ with that person … it may be too late. Tomorrow may never come for them – or
us. “Maybe tomorrow” I will take this
family a meal … “maybe tomorrow” I will do what I’ve felt God nudging me to do
for weeks now. What if we don’t get that
opportunity again? I pray that we will
become people of “today” … yes, Lord, “right now”! We understand sometimes you give us “another
time” – but sometimes in Your sovereign plan, that extra chance isn’t a part of
it. So help us, Lord, to get it right –
and not wait! Help us to be people of
action … and ultimately, Your church in action!!! That’s our passion! Today … while the harvest is ripe!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
LOVING BIRTHDAY WISHES & God’s
blessings to my husband, Doug, as he celebrates on June 28th!
A HUGE THANKS to all who helped with
the church/city-wide sale, with the café meal, and the church float this week!
SUN, JUN 24: 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, with an exciting message from God’s Word: “The Power of the Holy Spirit”!
SUN, JUN 24: 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION CLASSES /
Puppet Ministry for kids with the Graffs!
Don’t miss out!
SUN, JUL 01: 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, with a
patriotic message and Communion … invite some friends to come!
SUN, JUL 01: 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION CLASSES /
Puppet Ministry – unforgettable Bible stories & lessons!
COMING UP: BIBLE STUDY PLANNING for men and for women,
and for Sunday School sessions / Women of Faith Event
PRAYER OPPORTUNTIES . . . Verla, Julia, Hazel, unspoken requests, ministries of Seykoras and Lundstroms, traveling mercies
REMEMBER . . . “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (II Corinthians 6:11) “When God is about to do something great, He starts with a difficulty. When He is about to do something truly magnificent, He starts with an impossibility.” ~ Armin Gesswein
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
