Winter Has Arrived

Well, I must say it is down right COLD outside. Brrrr. So, what is going on with us? Well, today I taught Sunday School at church. My good friend Fred was celebrating his anniversary today, so he asked me to fill in. Now the class that he teaches is really interesting! He is doing a seven part study of the Christian Virtues as outlined by C.S. Lewis. However, he is using The Andy Griffith Show to bring about the study of the virtues (along with Scripture, of course). I was really afraid that the program was not going to work today, and it almost didn’t. In the end, it worked out fine, and everyone said it was good. Here is something we made up to help with the virtues:

People (Prudence)
Talk (Temperance)
Just (Justice)
For (Fortitude)
Fun (Faith)
Happiness and (Hope)
Conversation (Charity)

Last night our good friends Bobby and Janice came over. We had a delightful time. Other than that, not a lot is going on. We played a lot with Cassidy today. She wants to play all the time. I’m getting to the point that I am getting bothered by this, but then Bobby reminded me of a song called, “Cats in the Cradle.” In the song, a guy puts off playing with his son. He is always too busy to take the time, and keeps telling him, “maybe tomorrow.” One day, he realizes his son is now grown, and he wishes he would come to visit him. The boy grew up to be just like him, and can’t find the time to visit his dad. It is a rather sad song, but it makes you think about making the most of every moment.

This, in turn, reminded me of a poem by Eugene Field written a long time ago. For anyone reading this who has children, I think it might help you to understand the brevity of life.

The little toy dog is covered with dust,
But sturdy and stanch he stands;
And the little toy soldier is red with rust,
And his musket moulds in his hands.
Time was when the little toy dog was new,
And the soldier was passing fair;
And that was the time when our Little Boy Blue
Kissed them and put them there.

"Now, don't you go till I come," he said,
"And don't you make any noise!"
So, toddling off to his trundle-bed,
He dreamt of the pretty toys;
And, as he was dreaming, an angel song
Awakened our Little Boy Blue---
Oh! the years are many, the years are long,
But the little toy friends are true!

Ay, faithful to Little Boy Blue they stand,
Each in the same old place---
Awaiting the touch of a little hand,
The smile of a little face;
And they wonder, as waiting the long years through
In the dust of that little chair,
What has become of our Little Boy Blue,
Since he kissed them and put them there.