Give Thanks for the Un-Missed Opportunities
by Glenn Mollette

I rejoice for the un-missed opportunities. We always moan about our missed opportunities but I am grateful for a lot that I haven't missed.

A few months ago we were traveling through Pikeville, KY. Carole and I stopped to visit with an old friend Walter Sloan. He smiled, we conversed, and we enjoyed the visit. It would be the last time I would see him as he was terminal with cancer. I'm glad I got to see him again. Years ago I had baptized him, returned for his funeral and someday I'll see him again.

A couple of months later we would stop and visit another friend, Pete Kelly. Pete was trying to recuperate from a difficult hospital stay. He and his lovely wife Kathleen and son David were gracious as always. This past week Pete went home to be with the Lord. I had some great times going to University of Kentucky basketball games with Pete and David. They were great to serve with in the Lord's work. I'm glad I got to see him again.

A couple of months ago we were in Dayton, Ohio and visited with in-laws Terry and Helen Millsaps. Terry was using a walker some but was great otherwise. Carole and I took strawberry pie and we sat on the patio in their beautiful backyard. We visited for a couple of hours and talked about life, family, church and friends. Terry has just been diagnosed with a terminal disease and is rapidly deteriorating.

I rejoice today every time my 22 year old son hugs me, my 25 year old navy son tells me he loves me and for every precious moment with Carole, family and friends.

We've all missed opportunities and messed up opportunities. Such is life. Nothing is perfect. Yet, what a blessing to be able to start out the day with God, a cup of coffee, a hot biscuit and jelly and a time of prayer, conversation and fellowship with my beautiful wife. I have family and Christian friends and fellow Christian workers who are only an email or a phone call away. I count the blessings one by one by one. They are more than I can count. When I do I continue to be surprised and amazed at what God has done.

We all regret missed opportunities. But today rejoice and give God thanks for the opportunities you haven't missed. Psalm 105:1 O GIVE thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His doings among the peoples!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

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