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Writer's picturesonnyholmes

What I Miss Most.


Let me go off the grid here. In my warped mind there is a metaphorical application of the Life Without Scissors reality. So, I'm finally in agreement with The Chester, our dad who went to his heavenly home on January 25, 2019. Suddenly life without scissors is actually nsane. Earlier this week I told some long-tine friends about dad's obsession with scissors. They all agreed. "Pass the scissors" became a common phrase for a couple of days, even on the golf course. Several times I wished I could clip my entire line from the score card. Scissors indeed!

The metaphor is simple: life without many other presumed essentials is whacky as well. You know, life without memory, or hearing, or nimble fingers, or strong shoulders, or keeping the people, places, or events on our life time line in order. This new phase of life presents us with "...life without..." scenarios every day. When Harriet, my wife of 46 years called me "Bob" one day, the "life without..." thing got very real. Who in this world is Bob? What about Bob? I ought to make a movie about that.

Someone said, "Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind most." It's not that I've actually forgotten who said it, but that the author is really anonymous. It's been attributed to the usual candidates for such on point humor---Ben Franklin, Mark Twain, Winston Churchill, Groucho Marx, Lucille Ball, or Alfred E. Newman. Of course, there is an answer. It's the guy that calls my home phone four or five times every day, the guy my phone voice refers to as ANO-NY-MUS. Go figure! Still, it is an accurate assessment of life in this new, strange phase, the "...life without..." years.

Even more, this new slot in the life time-line reminds me of several truths that are God's provision for the phases of life---

The blessing of other people.

Scripture is clear about our life relationships and how they supplement us in the various phases of life. Other people are a significant life dynamic to provide support and encouragement as we face whatever is in our path. This is especially true for believers, who comprise the various parts of an interdependent spiritual body.

For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say,

“Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a

part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to

the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an

eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be

the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of

them, as he chose.

1 Corinthians 12: 14-18, ESV

Of course, the idea of interdependence confronts our human egocentric nature. Most of us would prefer to be self-dependent rather than interdependent. Still, the people around us, especially those in our closest circle, usually step up when the "...life without..." affects us.

The blessing of God presence.

Over and over Scripture reminds us of the unchanging nature of God and his promised presence throughout our lives. Once again, dependence on our Heavenly Father as we transition through life challenges our natural inclinations, that is, to be autonomous in our decisions and life functions, even when aging. Scripture does, however, provide many references to God's faithfulness throughout life---

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Isaiah 26: 4, ESV

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19, ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all

your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3: 5-6, ESV

Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will

bear; I will carry and will save.

Isaiah 46: 4, ESV

As usual, there are many more verses echoing this theme. The point is that our unchanging God is intimately with us through our stages and phases, and promises to provide what we need as we face the changes of life.

Life without scissors is insane at a couple of levels. So is life without these other realities that we considered essential back in the day. Still, God has given us other people, and his promised provision as our stuff for this life, even in the "...life without..." segments.

Now, who in the daylights is Bob?

http://www.ismiledyou.com/2014/11/oh-crap-was-that-today-funny-cartoon-poster.html


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