My sweet husband passed away two weeks ago.  In going through some papers in his desk, I found various scraps of paper that I had never seen before.  They were just in among his bills and special cards that people had sent to him.  Some of the scraps had notations about people to pray for, donations he wanted to make, and thoughts to himself about something in his life that he wanted to improve on.  Here are some thoughts that he had scribbled on a small notepad nearly six years ago.

Besides time, opportunity may be our great asset in this life.  There are windows of opportunity in almost everything.  To pick my squash, because they are now yellow, or my grapes because they are right at ripeness’ edge, or harvest the hazelnuts now and pick the cherries before they get eaten or die on the branches.  Before the adversaries, the deer, squirrels, moles, or birds take their chance and pre-empt me.

Listen to God’s thoughts and concerns to save others from discouragements and bad situations.  May we be courteous and responsive neighbors.  Everyone is hurting.  It’s a hurting generation.  It causes hopelessness to be left behind.  We may be the last chance to help someone in need.  Endeavor to be sensitive to that.

John wrote them as a memo to himself, and in hindsight, I can see that he truly tried to fulfill this endeavor.  I have to say that as his time here got shorter, he jumped at opportunities.  He started chats with cashiers, waitstaff, or nearly anyone he met.  He never made any kind of big religious proclamation or lecture.  He was just kind and interested in each person.  He made them feel good.  He left them happier after having the chat, and hopefully changed the course of their day.  Who knows how that could have spread out from that person to others along the way.  I like his reference to the perfectly ripe fruits and vegetables.  Each moment is crafted by God and is the perfect moment for us to say something (or sometimes nothing).  To me, this is a very sweet way of bringing a little more God into this earth.  God is kind, and He loves His children.  When we are genuinely interested in people, forgetting ourselves and the problems troubling us, that shows people God’s heart.  Our hurting generation needs healing.  May we bring healing to those we meet along the way.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Philippians 2:3