205 Words

How would you capture your life in 205 words?

This weekend's CBS Sunday Morning Show had a segment on obituaries and the people that write them for newspapers.  There was an emotional piece on 9/11 and the obits that the NY Times staff wrote for the few thousand people that died in the Twin Towers that horrifying day. 

The writers that chronicle death for the Times only have a precious 205 words to articulate the life of these people in the newspaper.  One would presume due to economic and space limitations.

Could it be Halloween that provoked me to choose this topic for my blog this week?

Could it be the recent 73rd birthday of my father?

Could it be my impending birthday which brings me one year closer to middle age?

Do you think about your mortality?  How often do you think of the faith, hope and love that you have given, shared and received in your life?

Do you struggle at times to discern if your career defines you more than what you have done for and with your family and friends?

My response is yes to all of the above.  How about you?

I will leave you with scripture from 1 Corinthians 13.


If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Thank you for reading.  Looking forward to your comments.  Our "Parenting and Technology" session is this Tuesday at 10 am at CtK.  Please check-in at the main office.  All parents are welcome.