I was a Cub Scout.
Now for those unaware of what that means, Cub Scouting is part of the
Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America, available to boys and girls from
kindergarten through fifth grade, or 5 to 10 years of age and their families. Now if asked that question of the game-show,
Jeopardy, you will be prepared. There
were seven of us in Den # 4, Pack # 3 (Gosh, how is it that I can still
remember that and can’t find my car keys?).
The Boy Scout motto is, ‘Be Prepared’.
The Cub Scout motto is, ‘Do Your Best’.
Both serve as good advice.
I recently returned from a couple of weeks away and…I hate
to admit it, but I have arrived at the age where I will check obituaries
occasionally. I always scoffed at the
old joke; “If you read the obituaries and
your name is not there, it’s a good day.” Since I had been away I wanted to check the
news to see if anything worthwhile had happened while I was traveling. I used to keep up with the news on a regular
basis but I stopped for several reasons; it is not news anymore as much as
opinions with an agenda, it rarely changes (politicians are still loony and people
are always going to do stupid things), and it is really not that helpful to my
daily life. Actually the situation in
the world has not really improved since God placed Adam & Eve in paradise
with a few simple basics and said, “Enjoy
the great set-up.” (This is from the Drees translation). Then as soon as they were left to their own
ideas, they looked around and said, “I
know what He said and things are greater than we could ever imagine but let’s
try this…” (Again, this is from the Drees translation).
Anyway, back to the original point, I checked the news to
catch up on events while I was away and discovered that one of my former
classmates and Cub Scout Den members died.
There are now four of the original seven who are still here. Sonny, Ricky and now Phil are gone. Jimmy, Bobby, Buddy and I remain. Although most of us scattered to different
regions and lost close touch over some 60 years that have passed since then, it
can always get one’s attention when childhood and school friends pass
away.
The older I get the more I am impressed
with how fragile and fleeting life can be.
I am amazed at how quickly 67 years have passed. As a pastor who sat at the bedside with
family and friends when some took their last breath and presided over funerals
for people who lived over one hundred years and for some who lived less than
one, I am continually reminded how fragile life on this planet can be. Throughout my life and career I believed,
studied and taught about life after death as a matter of faith. However, in reality, it really does not
matter how strong one’s faith may be or what one believes; the only thing we
really know for certain is what we are experiencing at this very moment. All else is either a matter of faith or
uncertainty. And often it seems that in
this sin-scarred world the only thing that is certain is uncertainty. So where does that leave us?
Well, I can’t be certain that the politicians are going to
make helpful decisions or laws. I can’t
be certain that the car speeding my way is going to stay in their lane. I can’t be certain that my heart will
continue to beat for the next five minutes.
I really can’t be certain that I will even finish writing this note (I
am fairly certain that a select few are wondering if I will ever get to the
point…yes, I know who you are!). But, I
can be certain about one thing in my life and that is my attitude and actions
for this very moment.
I can choose to get involved in the petty political
arguments or workplace/church/family drama of the moment and share an angry or
foul mood…that may be my last moment of life on this planet. Or I can choose to be as happy, forgiving, loving
and kind to everyone around me no matter what the situation or circumstances
may be…and if this is my last moment or not, it is the only moment I have at
the time…then it was and is as good as I could make it for me and those around
me!
While life is filled with dramatic and memorable events,
both joyous and sad; most of life is made up of the small everyday
moments. Therefore, we would do well not
to waste any moments on the worries and difficulties of this imperfect world
but make the best of every fleeting and fragile moment of life with every
breath being filled with gratitude, kindness and love.
Again, no matter what one believes about the afterlife, this
is the only shot you get at this world. When
it is over you will be dead a long time so it just makes sense to make the most
of every moment. I remember once reading
about a minister who was visiting a member of his church whom both knew was
probably nearing the end of a long full life.
In my experience I have learned that it is often helpful in those
situations to make certain that there are no lingering regrets so a good pastor
tries to lovingly approach a way to eliminate those feelings, if possible. In their talk he asked, “You have been truly blessed with your life but is there anything you
would do differently if you could go back?"
She immediately cocked her head with a smile and looked him square
in the eyes and said, “I would eat more
ice cream and less beans!” I love that answer. It also serves as a reminder to spend more time having fun and enjoying the journey. While beans are healthy and good for you, life goes better when you try to have more fun as well. Add her outlook to the following motto and scripture and you have a pretty good formula to enjoy the rest of your journey;
“Do Your Best”
Boy Scout Motto
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
