He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?  Micah 6:8

THIS is my 52nd year, and I spend a great deal of time reminiscing about the different stages of my life. I especially like to think about my happy childhood. I had loving parents who tried to teach Christian values and habits both by word and example. These values influenced my life through my teenage years and adulthood, and now they influence me in this stage of my life.

As I looked through a scrapbook of materials I’ve collected over the years, the following question gave me food for thought: When I die, will the world be a better place because I have lived or because I have died?  If I am to evaluate my life honestly, I also must ask other questions: Have I loved my neighbor as myself? Have I treated others as I want them to treat me? Have I done what Micah says God requires of me: “To do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with [my] God”?  I know I have failed many times in many ways. But how thankful I am that God is merciful and forgiving and that I can say, “Lord, I am trying.”

Thank you, compassionate God, for life. Thank you for your love and for your forgiveness when we fail to do your will. Amen.