WHAT I DON’T WANT TO DO WITHOUT

   
    This morning I took my Airbook to the Apple store to be sent off for repairs.  The hinge on the back is coming apart. They agreed to repair it at no charge and told me it would likely be delivered to my house by Friday (possibly Thursday, and even a chance for Wednesday.)  I told the very nice young lady at the Genius Bar that I wasn’t sure I could do without it that long. She just smiled and said, ‘I bet you’ll be just fine.”  On a side note one of the good things about this is it forced me to back everything up (you know, just in case something goes awry!!) 

    So, I am working with Laura’s Dell Laptop until my Airbook gets back.  It’s been four hours and I already miss it.  This laptop must weight all of five poundsJ My favorites aren’t locked in (about the only favorites on Laura’s computer are Cold Water Creek and her Google page!)  I can’t go down to the left corner of the computer and see that I have twenty-five pages open at once, this is awfulJ So, I’ve been thinking about what I told the young lady at the Apple Store, “I don’t know if I can do without it…”  WHO AM I KIDDING??? I’ll be fine if I never see that computer again (at least that’s what I keep telling myself!)  I’ll be fine if I lose everything on itL There is much in my life that I could do without. However there are a few thinks in my life that I hope and pray I don’t ever have to do without.

    I don’t want to do without my Lord.  Jesus makes such a tremendous difference in our lives that we cannot possibly exist without Him.  It is Jesus who makes it possible for us to do all things (Philippians 4:13).  It is Jesus who makes all of our spiritual blessings possible (Ephesians 1:3). It is Jesus who intercedes for us when we go to the Father (1 Timothy 2:5).  It is Jesus who brings peace to our hearts (Romans 5:1; Colossians 3:15).  It is Jesus who brings light into our world and enlightens every man (John 1:9).  Jesus has promised us that He will not leave us or forsake us (Matthew 28:20).  We can choose to separate ourselves from Him, but our lives will be fruitless if we do.

    I don’t want to do without God’s Word. God’s Word is a comfort to us in times of trouble. God’s Word is a light for the pathway of life (Psalm 119:105). God’s Word keeps us from sin (Psalm 119:11). God’s Word instructs us, corrects us, and equips us (1 Timothy 3:16-17).  We are richly blessed to be able to study and know God’s Word, yet many refuse to avail themselves of the great blessings contained in the Word of God.

    I don’t want to do without my wife.  My sweet Laura has stood beside me for nearly thirty years.  We have been through so much together and she has made the burdens of life so much easier to bear.  More than anyone else in the world she taught me about the importance of family. She helped me become a better husband, a better father, a better preacher, a better man, a better friend, and a better Christian. I can’t imagine life without her. I thank God for her everyday.

    I don’t want to do without my children. Amanda and Jeremy have brought and continue to bring so much joy into our lives.  They have been a blessing to us from the time they entered the world. We are now blessed to watch them share life with their own mates and we are extremely proud of both of them. We are most thankful that they, along with their mates are faithful to the Lord and His cause. We pray daily that this will always be the case. I can’t imagine a life without either of them.

    I don’t want to do without the church. The Body of our Lord has blessed my life in ways that are too numerous to count.  We have had the privilege of working with four congregations during the past thirty years.  Each of them has been unique and each of them has blessed us. We have worked with wonderful elderships and great co-workers in the Kingdom.  We have been treated wonderfully by every church we have been with during our ministry.  We still have close friends in all of the congregations we have served. They have all taught us and helped us be more of what God wants us to be.  The churches where we have worked have stood behind us and been patient with our weaknesses.  We feel extremely blessed to work now with the Lewisville church. We are convinced that it is one of the great congregations of God’s people in the world. 

    I don’t want to do without my friends. My life has been blessed with more wonderful friends than I deserve. My closest friends in the world are preachers. I love preachers and I love to be associated with them. There are a number of preachers that I could call at any moment and they would drop everything to come to my aid (you know who you are guys).  I would do the same for them.  I love the older preachers who continue to bless my life. I love younger preachers who are receiving the baton from the older guys. We have some wonderful friends who are special to us during these empty nesting days. Thank you, our dear woodsy friendsJ  I have friends who are still close from high school and college days. How blessed a man is who has friends. 

    So, there are many things in this life I can do without. However, there are some things in this life that I hope I never have to do without.  My list is not exhaustive, but these are a few that have been on my mind today. What’s on your list? I would love to hear from you?

    Dear God, please help us not to get so caught up in the temporary things of this life. Please forgive us when we foolishly focus on things that don’t matter. Father, help me to focus on the people in our lives that matter the most.  Help us to express our thanks to those around us for influencing our lives in good ways.  Thank You, Father for the tremendous blessings of life that you constantly shower upon us.