Work Calendars

I could go back in my work calendars and tell you exactly what shift I was working on which day and year, all through my career with the phone company. I can tell you who my babysitter was and probably how much I paid her. I can tell you when I took my vacations and what days the kids were out of school.

I can also tell you from the calendars how many Sundays we attended church, and which weeks my children attended Church camp, practiced for the Christmas program, or when I sang a special at church. Isn’t it silly to hold onto all those old calendars? But those calendars are like a diary of my life, in my own handwriting.

The Lord has a record of our lives too, written in God’s own handwriting.

“Lavon’s name was written in the Lamb’s Book of Life in 1957 at the Fourth Street Mission in Vinita, OK. and was baptized in Mustang Creek. She has two children and 2 grandsons. She retired from the phone company after 32 years.”

He has written down all those important details that sometimes get overlooked by others. He sees the motives and intents of your heart, not just what you did, but why you did it. There is so much more written in God’s memory book of your life in between all the milestones.

“Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.” Malachi 3:16 NKJV.

God has a book with your name on it and He is keeping a record of the times of your life.

Lavon Hightower Lewis

The Great Reunion

We threw together the First Annual Brock family reunion last weekend held at the cemetery where my great grandparents were buried. Our plan was to meet our cousins in the cemetery to visit and decorate the graves, then go to the second cemetery, and from there head home.

When we pulled into the first cemetery, I was surprised to see two of my dad’s first cousins standing there waiting for us. I jumped out of the car and ran up to them and hugged both ladies with tears of joy in my eyes. I really had no hope of them showing up, since we hadn’t heard from them, but there they were, and I recognized them right away. Another cousin with some young children came, as well as some of the family that went with us. It was a joyous occasion.

We visited and I gave my little speech about the family tree and how we were all related. Then we decorated the graves, while the children played around on the open area of the cemetery.

However there were so many other family members that we had contacted who weren’t able to attend and we were sure sad that we didn’t get to see them. We hope to see them next time.

It’s funny that the reunion took place in a cemetery, where our relatives are buried. However there is coming a great reunion one of these days, and those who are dead in Christ will meet with those who are alive in Christ, but it will take place in the air, not in a cemetery. And this time there will be no one missing from the family of God.

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” First Thessalonians 4:16-18 NKJV.

One day the family of God will be reunited with the Lord and each other. Won’t it be glorious?

Walking on the Water

I was working as a telephone operator in 1983 when a repairman came to change a light bulb on my console where I sat. I asked, “What is your title?” and he said, “Central office repairman.” And to myself I said, I could do that.

That chance encounter planted a desire in my heart and I started telling everyone I wanted that job. By 1984, I was working that job in my hometown.

I didn’t just fall into that job by accident though.  I had to take an entrance level test which  qualified me to transfer into the job, but then I had to go through months of on-the-job training and  company schools that equipped me to do the actual day-to-day work.

 

It wasn’t easy and I often said that if I had known all the things I would have to go through, I don’t know if I would’ve had the guts to try it. There were times along the way that I failed, wondering if I was going to make it, but I took one step at a time and my dream job became mine. The Lord was with me every step of the way, and I prayed through each test I took.

Peter got an image in his mind when he saw Jesus walking on the water and he said to himself, I could do that, so he called out to Jesus, “Master, bid me come.” Jesus spoke only one word, Come, and on the power contained in that one word, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water. (Matthew 14:28-29 KJV)

As long as he was putting one foot in front of the other, taking one step at a time, he was doing fine, but as he looked around him at the wind and waves, his image of himself walking on water changed to an image of himself surrounded by the storm, so he began to sink and he quit walking.

“Lord, save me.” At least he had the good sense to call on the Lord in his time of trouble. Then Jesus met him right there and they walked, both of them walked, back to the boat together, on the power of Jesus word.