I've traded nearly all of my hobbies for Fly Fishing and Canoeing. Then, too, my greater passion is serving as a Life Guide on behalf of JC. Put the two together and you have JC's Guide Service where a guy can cast for tips for landing Trout, Steelhead and Salmon while strengthening his grip on relationships. My four decades as a pastor and husband plus fifteen years as a college instructor (plus a bit of fishing) have resulted in some tools that I'm delighted to offer for your consideration. Welcome to the back porch of my life!
Meditations
39 AND HOLDING!
Here it is 39 years. 39 years of holding each other and holding onto the dream. It has meant holding onto the rudder when wild currents would carry us to sea. Holding on for dear life when winds of joy and blessing would have lifted us airborne. Holding on to children and holding grandchildren.
And holding on to faith and the Faithful One. Isn’t that the most necessary grip! Embracing the hope and help that only comes from His goodness and holy generosity.
And holding out. Holding out our hands and lives to one another. Not holding on as if it all might slip away, but keeping hold of that which is worthy of our best attachment. Holding out as those who don’t seek another one or another thing to make them complete or fulfilled. We hold on to that which is our Good Life. It was a Good beginning and promises a Good back stretch too.
I like it that what we have takes active holding. So many blessings, so many friendships and so much good stuff that we are busy as though carrying more than we’d dreamed of possessing.
Let’s not tire of the holding hands, holding conversations and holding hope.
There we are, in white and white, 39 years ago. Mere children. Untested. Yet Promising. So Certain. Richer, poorer and the rest. We promised to hold on through thick and thin. Now a bit grayer and showing the signs of a journey taken we live out those promises.
39 and holding. Glad to be holding you.
Jim to Karen
September 16, 2006
