matches, and no ashes to clean up!â
Susan looked at the box of logs sheâd bought. âHow embarrassing!â she said. âI didnât realize⦠â
âNo problem,â Fred said, interrupting her. He took his wifeâs hand. âI donât need wood, or matches, or logs, or twigs, or anything else to keep me warm. You light my fire!â
Todayâs Thoughts
Love one another deeply, from the heart.
1 P ETER 1:22
Lord, may my love for others follow your lead of first loving me. You are my example and inspiration.
36
Still Alive and Kickinâ
Sam pulled out his camping gear from some years ago. His tent was still in good condition. He had a mattress and sleeping bag, a lantern, a canteen, and a small stove, along with accessories for cooking. A quick trip to the grocery store, and heâd be all set. Now all he needed was a buddy to accompany him.
He called Russ. âWhat do you say, Russ? Want to go camping for a few days at Lake Dorothy? Itâs not too far, and the weather there is about perfect this time of year. I have a tent thatâll hold the two of us. What can go wrong?â
âEverything!â Russ said pessimistically. âIâm not sure I have roughing it in me anymore.â
âWhat do you mean?â Sam asked, his disappointment evident. The two had camped, and hiked, and rock-climbed together for decades. Why the sudden hesitancy? he wondered.
âWhat if weâre swarmed by ants or a snake attacks?â Russ asked.
âYouâve seen snakes. Whatâs the big deal?â
âA rainstorm could take out the tent. Then what would we do?â
âWeâd pack up and go to a motel or drive home.â
âMosquitoes. Iâm allergic to insect bites.â
âBring repellantâno problem,â Sam countered.
âIâm not sure I can handle camp food at this age.â
âThen bring the real thing, and weâll cook to your specifications.â
âIâm not as agile as I once was. I might slip and fallâand die on the spot.â
âSure, but that could happen at the grocery store.â Sam had had enough of Russâ negativity. âLook, friend,â he said, making his case one last time, âyou either say yes or no. Thatâs it. Anything can happen at any time. You are going to die one day. Who cares where?â
Russ laughed. âWell, okay, when you put it that way, I might as well say yes. But Iâm going to update my will before we go.â
âBe sure to include me!â Sam grinned, and his voice revealed his good humor. âIâll be the one who has to carry you home if you die on the trail.â
Todayâs Thoughts
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
M ATTHEW 10:28
Lord, isnât it interesting and even humorous the way people worry about this and that when the truth is that if we walk with you we are protected in every way? Iâm thankful that you will call me to my heavenly home at just the right timeâyour time.
37
Itâs Not What It Looks Like
Grandma Dee had a good heart and a strong commitment to keeping the community clean and presentable. She took a long walk every day armed with a trash bag so she could pick up stray cans, bits of paper, and empty bottles people tossed aside or the wind blew in. Sometimes she invited a neighbor to join her. Two are better than one, she believed. They could collect twice as much trash, as well. One day Grandma Dee knocked on Trishaâs door and invited her to join her on a walk. âThink you can keep up?â she teased. âI move pretty fast for an old lady.â
âIâll give it a try, but have pity on a 40-year-old,â Trisha teased back. âKeep checking on me just in case I drop behind.â
Grandma Dee wasnât too far off the mark when she challenged Trisha, who later admitted she returned from the adventure tired
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