Saturday Inspiration

Today, Saturday, has been a good day of unwinding with a few family and a few friends -- pure inspiration. We were up before dawn and driving over the Allegheny Mountains of Virginia into Highland County for the Annual Maple Festival.

As I reflect on the day that's nearly past, this song by the late and great voice of Eva Cassidy surely speaks more beautifully to me than anything I can think of writing myself. I think the song at the link below will touch your heart. Listen to this classic, live recording from the 1990s.... all the way to the end.

Click here: Eva Cassidy Over The Rainbow - LIVE - YouTube

Grateful

P.S. Thanks Pastor Joseph for telling me about this great voice from the past.

Volume 14 "Christmases Past"

Christmas represents a miracle for us and the whole human race -- for "unto us a Child is born" to be our Savior from Sin.

And memories of "Christmases Past" race through my mind very often. As a result, I have been writing down words to  communicate "What I Miss Most About Christmases Past."

As my mind races backward today to yesterday's treasures, I miss my whole family being together and especially everyone being healthy.

I remember a certain Christmas Eve at my Granny Margery's and Granddaddy Gray's homeplace. Their home was such a safe place for me and even today I can still sense the comfort I felt that particular Christmas Eve in their living room. 

In the glow of the Christmas lights, I can see all of our family laughing and enjoying one another and basking in good health. Across the generations of our family, from my young brothers and me, my young Dad and Mom, then my older Grandparents and even my very old, Great Aunt Lizzie, we were all enjoying a short, but sure season of good health. 

The reason I am remembering good health during these Holy Days is very obvious. Yesterday, December 16, 2013, I got a phone call from my own Dad. After an ambulance ride to the local hospital, Dad tenderly told me that a MRI revealed a mass at the base of his spine. He was then transported last evening to Greenville Medical Center in my native North Carolina. While there are yet many unknowns about my Dad's physical wellness, Dad assured me that it is well with His soul.

So, more than thinking about "Christmases Past", today I am thanking God for the Hope of "Christmas Present". Though we are not sure about the physical wellness of our family, my heart sings out with this song of the season:

"All is well. Go and tell... Emmanuel." Indeed, "God is with us and within us." Blessed Christmas.

Grateful 

Volume 11: "Christmases Past"

One of my favorite Christmas memories happened when my wife, Kim, and I, were eating supper at my most favorite restaurant in our hometown, The China Jade. Annie, whom I met in the restaurant many years earlier as a waitress, was now running the business. It was a few nights before Christmas and Annie came to our table and said, "I have a gift for you. You are my best customers." She then handed me a little, plastic, orange and black, tiger Christmas tree ornament from her native homeland, China. Our hearts melted at the gesture and to this day we cherish Annie's tender gift.

Yesterday was Tuesday, December 10, 2013, and it was a sad day for me. That's why I didn't blog, I suppose. While having lunch with a pastor friend in Annie's and Jackie's Chinese Restaurant, Annie came up to me and said, "I have bad news. Jackie and I, along with our three children are closing the restaurant and moving back to China." It truly broke my heart. I have been eating most every week (I've been in town) in The China Jade for at least seventeen years. Annie was my first waitress way back then. We have formed quite a friendship. I have my own table in the corner pocket of the establishment.

I have done my best to send The China Jade business and I have surely given them mine. However, by the end of December 2013, maybe earlier, the doors will be closed and the precious family that I adore will be gone. Family? Yes, Annie and Jackie have three precious children -- a son and a set of twin girls. They call me "Uncle Kerry".

Annie explained that Jackie's father, who cooked for them for a long time, is back in China, and at 80-years-old is near death. He wants his family to come home and to be with him. So, I am glad their family will be united, but honestly I feel as if I am losing family myself. When I left the restaurant on Tuesday, I got hugs from them all. Though I plan to see them before they leave, we were taking no chances so we properly said our good-byes.

I gave them my address and phone number and promised to pray for them. I walked out the door and wept on the way to my car. I told God later today, "I trust You, Lord, with my precious family and cherished friends."

As much as I will cherish the memories, I have a witness in my soul that even though they are moving literally around the world, I will see them again. Love conquers all. Indeed, my God is Love.

(Note added later: On Saturday, December 14, 2013, Annie called me to say, "Good News. My father-in-law seems to be improving in his health. We have decided that just my husband will go to China for now and I will remain here for the time being with our three children. My restaurant will remain open. Tell your friends.")

Grateful        

The Afterglow of Pentecost = Life Together

My dearest brothers and sisters in God's Family of faith, hope, and love. I offer to you today, these passionate and powerful New Testament words, :

The Afterglow of Pentecost
(41) On that day about three thousand believed his (The Apostle Peter's) message and were baptized. (42)They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed together.

Life Together Among the Lord's Followers
(43) Everyone was amazed by the many miracles and wonders that the apostles worked. (44) All the Lord's followers often met together, and they shared everything they had. (45) They would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever needed it. (46) Day after day they met together in the temple. They broke bread together in different homes and shared their food happily and freely, (47) while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved.
-- Acts 2:41-47 (CEV)

Lord, be glorified in our Unity today and day-by-day, I pray.
Grateful

On Wings of Butterflies

“On Wings of Butterflies”

Ruth Paylor

The day had come, the scene was set, soft music filled the air,

Family and friends had gathered, this special day to share.

The hour came, they entered, each took an honor place,

With hearts so full of happiness, reflecting on each face.

And then my daughter entered, a radiant bride was she.

The groom with sunlight on his face was handsome as could be.

My son and his wife were standing there, they made a charming pair

And then my heart grew heavy, for the son who wasn’t there.

Now a butterfly has always been a special joy to see.

It seemed from out of nowhere, the air was filled with three.

Then four, then five, then dozens began to fly about,

They lit on bridal party, they fluttered o’er the crowd.

They flew above the altar with sunshine on their wings,

My heart which once was heavy, began to leap and sing.

The minister began to bless, this special hour of love,

And God who wished me happiness, sent blessings from above.

I knew my prayers were answered, the day was bright and fair.

The son who couldn’t be there, I seemed to hear him declare:

“I bring you joy to lift you up, a joy your soul can feel,

For God who hears and answers prayer, the broken heart can heal.

I’m with you mom in spirit, with sister, brother, dad,

And memories of the years we shared, the good times that we had.

So when your heart is troubled and teardrops dim your eyes,

Through God I’ll send you joy and peace…On Wings of Butterflies!”

Note: My dear childhood friend, Jeffrey Kent Paylor, made his passing at age 19 after a very heart-wrenching car fatality. His mom, Ruth Paylor, who was like a second mom to me as a boy, wrote these words on the day of her daughter, Linda’s, wedding a few years after Jeff’s departure. My only son, Grayson, bears Jeff’s middle name as his own -- Grayson Kent Willis.

Your pain is still in my heart, Mrs. Ruth.

I'm grateful for you.

I Hope To See My Pilot

The Willis family celebrates Christmas together each year a few days before Christmas. It allows us to come together without the pressures of rushing through our immediate family time so everyone can hit the road to be present at other extended family gatherings. This year was no different. On December 20, 2010, Mom and Dad along with my brothers and their families were present at our home for about seven sacred hours together.

There was one touching highlight of the evening that crested above all the others. It was when Dad stood in front of the Christmas tree and read his favorite poem from a seven-dollar book I gave to him as sort of an extra "little personal gift" of Christmas.

When Dad reached the last two lines of the poem he began to cry. So did the rest of us. It was a good cry. A cry of Hope for the future to our Faithful God of the past and the present.

The poem is a piece of English literature that my sea-captain-fisherman Dad has quoted aloud from memory throughout all the years of my life. Here it is:

Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.

The poem is Alfred Lord Tennyson's Crossing the Bar.

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow!
Grateful

The Holy Highlights

Recently, my twenty-three-year-old son and I have had the blessed privilege of traveling out-of-town together on two occasions (and to be honest we have a third one on the calendar). While all of our roadtrips are sporting event destinations, I can honestly say that "the journey has been the destination" in each instance.

Indeed, on the highways and backroads to and from the sporting events, the totally vulnerable and heart-warming hours of sharing between daddy and son about earthly life, eternal life, and especially the marvelous mysteries of the Mind of Christ have been the holy highlights. Yes, the journeying conversations together have been much more full of wonder than the actual destinations.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (NIV) -- (5) Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (6) These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. (7) Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (8) Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. (9) Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

My Faithful God, I am humbled, grateful, and speechless for Your blessings in my life. In the Name of Jesus, I desperately pray that future generations of our family will be told about the Lord. Let me stay in the Destination Conversation with my loved ones. Most of all I desire that our family circle will be unbroken in-the-sky, Lord, by-and-by. Amen.

Future generations will be told about the Lord. -- Psalm 22:30 (NIV)

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

Free Indeed: A Place in The Family

John 8:34-36 (NIV) -- (34) Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. (35) Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. (36) So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

Lord, thanks for the price You paid to give me a permanent place in Your Family. Yes, thanks for shedding Your innocent blood, not to give me freedom to sin, but to give me freedom from sin. I owe my life, my all to You, my Jesus, The Elder Brother of The Family. Amen.

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

In the Afterglow Let's Not Miss The Advent

Cold turkey and a few slices of pumpkin roll await my attention in the fridge. Yesterday, my whole, immediate family gathered at our place to celebrate Thanksgiving. Counting the Oreo Pup, we had sixteen in our home for about seven hours or so. Wow!

Some people may say, "Wow? What's the big deal?" Well, it's very rare for the Willis family to all be together for Thanksgiving Day or any day for that matter. With three pastor sons and a fisherman dad, the holidays often require us to go in different directions. However, this year we were all blessed to meet at one place. So, in the deep places of my heart I am experiencing a Thanksgiving Afterglow; and it's only going to get better, because my hope is now shifting into overdrive. Why? Because I know the most wonderful time of the year is here --- the "Christmas is A'Coming" Advent Season.

Yes, I know it's Black Friday and perhaps I should be out scrambling for under-priced electronics and hooded-sweatshirts I don't really need, but honestly my desire is on an altogether more reflective level than a retail one. You see, after diving into that cold turkey one more time and savoring the last slice of Kim's delicious pumpkin roll, I plan on releasing my outdoor, Nativity characters from the garage for another fast-approaching December. Then, as this evening after Thanksgiving surrenders to the darkness and the days of November begin to dim, I'll have The Bethlehem Boy Who Brings Beautiful Joy perfectly spotlighted in our front yard for all our neighbors to see. (Or at least by Saturday evening. I'm resting. :-)

The point is, let the Holiday Celebration intensify! And In the Thanksgiving Afterglow Let's Not Miss the Christmas Advent.

ALL... JOY TO YOUR WORLD!
Grateful

The Passage of Time

James Taylor sings a song titled Secret of Life. One line from the old tune says: The Secret of Life is enjoying The Passage of Time.

Well, I'd agree that's at least one secret of life. But the greater secret, or mystery to me is The Passage of Time itself. It seems just days ago that my son and daughter were little children, Now, all of a sudden, our "little" son is a 22-year-old college graduate and beginning his chosen career in radio broadcasting. Our "little" daughter is 20 and already a university junior as a fashion marketer and living three-and-a-half hours from home. It's unbelievable how fast time has rushed past our family.

This morning as I had my usual quiet time on the front porch, our neighbor was playing with his little four-year-old boy on the sidewalk next door. Listening to his young son's little-boy-laughter penetrated my heart and reminded me of the mystery, yes, the mystery of The Passage of Time.

I am reminded of these words from a poem my wife and I used to incorporate in advertising when we were full-time photographers. It was an effective sales pitch that encouraged or warned parents to have their little children remembered in portraits before it was too late. Listen to these 13 words:

Whatever happened to yesterday?
It picked up our children and stole them away.

Now, rest assured, I have enjoyed The Passage of Time, but I am still confounded by it all. James Taylor's song advice may be very close to some of the the best counsel we can get about the mystery of life's brevity: Enjoy the passage of time. That is, enjoy the passage of time by being present in your present and by being up-to-date in your relationship with God and your relationships with others, especially your own family members.

Another old Gospel song by the Gaithers said it this way:
We have this moment to hold in our hands,
and to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand.
Yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come,
but we have this moment... today.

The time that remains is very short... 1 Corinthians 7:29 (NLT).

ALL JOY!
Grateful

Note: This blog entry specifically spells out in part my life's joy-description, which includes, but is not limited to, these 7 words:
Live to help others minimize future regrets.