Rich

Rich, but not with money. Rich in the abundance of love. Yesterday, the news world was shocked by the sudden death of Tim Russert. As I watched the coverage of his death, one after another spoke of the Man, Tim Russert. They spoke more about his strong faith and his love for his family, especially his wife, son Luke and his father. Yes, he was a great interviewer and broadcaster, but what mattered most in the end was the fact he was a good father, a husband, a son and a man of faith.

It made me think, "what will people say when I am dead?" I remember an exercise we had to do in one of my classes for my Masters in Counseling degree. The exercise was to write your own obituary. At first, I thought this was a morbid idea, but it actually caused me to put some things in perspective. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow, as we are reminded by the sudden death of Tim Russert, however, all of us are giving the same 24 hours in a day.

Reading today I came across Proverbs 10:22 it says, "The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich ..." As we get ready to celebrate Father's Day I realize that God has blessed me with three wonderful children and a beautiful wife who loves me unconditionally. I also stop to think of my father, Jack Howell, who has always been there and has been a spiritual giant in my life. I can remember as a kid rushing into my parents room, should I say barging into my parents room, only to find my dad on his knees beside his bed praying.

Tonight, I am reminded, I am rich because of the blessings of the Lord.

This is today,

Pastor Gary